Leaked documents obtained after a breach of the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) have uncovered a well-funded social media propaganda network, with influencers and online operatives receiving thousands of dollars each month to promote pro-Taliban narratives.
According to the leaked records, several mid-tier influencers are reportedly paid between $3,500 and $4,000 per month, while higher-profile figures, including Haider Hashmi, Waqeel Mubariz, Burhanuddin, and members of Mullah Yaqoob’s social media team, receive even larger payments.
Sources revealed the network manages multiple pro-Taliban and anonymous social media accounts, including ASF, Wahida, Al Mirsad, Ustad Burmak, Islamabad Post, and Info Monitor, to amplify the group’s messaging online.
The documents further unveiled that these operatives have access to the social media accounts of several Afghan news outlets and regularly publish false or misleading content attributed to Khama Press, Pajhwok, Shamshad News, TOLOnews, and Voice of Hind (VOH).
In addition, the network is accused of running accounts linked to the Fitna al Khawarij (FAK) narrative, including Nuqta, War Globe, Huriyat, and Markhor Facts, to spread disinformation and influence public opinion.
The revelations have unveiled the Taliban’s spending on online propaganda, with people arguing that millions are being directed toward information campaigns while many ordinary Afghans continue to face severe poverty, food shortages, and humanitarian hardship.
More to follow…