By Kate Clark in Kabul

The Taleban in Afghanistan have ordered all government ministries and universities to prepare files on staff with alleged links to the former Communist government.

Civil servants said the Taleban have asked for lists of all those who received merit awards under the Communist regime.

They said the Taleban also want the names of anyone who did military service or was educated in a socialist country.

At the university of Kabul, dozens of staff are covered by this order.

They include some of the most experienced and best-educated lecturers.

There has been no official word on the purpose of the list, but the fear is that the Taleban wants to dismiss anyone tainted by the communist era.

In 1996, when the Taleban came to power in Kabul, they offered an amnesty to Communist Party members and officials who had served under the old regime.

But a year later, they undertook a massive purge, getting rid of hundreds of civil servants.

Staff at the university feel that anyone who was seriously implicated has already left or been forced out.

They also say they cannot afford to lose more people.

Kabul University used to be a centre of regional excellence, with students coming from the Middle East, India and Pakistan.

But during 20 years of war, most of its educated elite have fled the country and resources have dried up.

One staff member said that anyone who had stayed behind and was willing to work for today's scanty salary couldn't be corrupt.

Other people have noted that the order doesn't cover technical staff.

Former card-carrying members of the Communist Party still hold government jobs as pilots, technicians and engineers, and some ex-Communist military officers are serving in the ranks of the Taleban army.