By Kauser News Agency
A controversial claim has surfaced on social media after a former employee of Azizi Bank, Mr. Rahmat Nikan, alleged that the institution was directly involved in withholding the paychecks of members of the former Afghan National Army (ANA).
In a TikTok video posted under the title “What Was Going on in Azizi Bank”, Mr. Nikan stated that during his tenure at the bank, he received official documents instructing staff not to release the ANA soldiers’ salaries. He further described how desperate soldiers and their families repeatedly came to the bank demanding their payments, but staff were ordered to make excuses and delay their requests.
Mr. Nikan did not specify how long he worked at Azizi Bank, but his remarks suggest that he left the institution after August 20, 2021, shortly following the fall of Kabul.
The testimony has sparked public concern and questions about Mr. Nikan’s motives. Critics have asked why he remained silent while employed at Azizi Bank and only chose to speak out years later.
Kauser News Agency contacted several former accountants at the bank, who claimed that Mr. Nikan has a “personal and reputational issue” with Azizi Bank and is attempting to discredit the institution. According to these sources, his accusations are “misleading” and aimed at portraying the bank as being complicit in fraud and corruption.
Individuals close to Azizi Bank leadership suggested that the timing of these allegations is linked to the bank’s founder, Mr. Azizi, preparing to launch one of his largest investment projects in Afghanistan. They argued that the claims were designed to undermine the bank’s credibility during this critical period.
Kauser News Agency attempted to reach Mr. Azizi’s office in Dubai. While no official statement was issued, a staff member at Azizi Bank told us:
“We are going to file a legal case against Mr. Rahmat Nikan for making false accusations. We have proof to discredit the statements he made.”
A review of Mr. Nikan’s TikTok and YouTube activity reveals that he frequently posts content critical of Pashtuns and the Taliban, suggesting his commentary is shaped by political and personal grievances rather than purely financial or institutional concerns
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The claims made by Mr. Rahmat Nikan remain unverified, and the controversy has deepened tensions around the credibility of Azizi Bank and its role during the turbulent period of Afghanistan’s government collapse. While legal proceedings may soon follow, the case underscores the sensitive legacy of financial institutions’ handling of government salaries during the final months of the Afghan Republic.
Kauser News Agency will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
