Local Taliban officials in Takhar province have allocated residential township lands, originally designated for the victims of natural disasters in the Altu Khwaja region of Dasht-e Qala district, to returnee migrants from Pakistan. The residents of Dasht-e Qala allege that the Taliban have been unjust to the people of this district. The distribution of lands in this township has sparked concerns among the residents of the Dasht-e Qala district in Takhar province. They view this move by the Taliban as part of a larger policy of Pashtun displacement in the northern regions of the country, emphasizing that such actions contribute to increased bias and animosity among the citizens of the country.
Some residents of Dasht-e Qala claim that in the past, this residential town was not distributed to the victims of natural disasters due to the interference of influential and powerful local figures. However, the Taliban have now allocated it to Pashtun returnees from Pakistan.
Shafiqullah, a resident of Dasht-e Qala district, recounts losing his home due to the devastating floods in recent years. He emphasizes that these resettlement plots should be allocated to those who have become homeless as a result of the destructive floods in this region.
This resident of Dasht-e Qala states, “Last year when the floods came, I lost my home and livelihood. I had nowhere to live, and we were repeatedly promised assistance and the distribution of land, but so far, no one has provided any help.”
Shafiqullah adds that a residential township, originally intended for the victims, has been distributed to Pashtun returnees from Pakistan. He sees this action by the Taliban as a blatant injustice to the affected individuals and the indigenous residents of the Dasht-e Qala district of Takhar province.
Mohammadullah, another resident of Dasht-e Qala district in Takhar, states, “This situation will not persist forever. We will reclaim our lands from the invaders and the Taliban, no matter the cost.”
He further emphasizes, “Just a few days ago, the Taliban inaugurated a residential township using 104 acres of government land. During the inauguration, they told the locals that these lands would be distributed to those who had lost their homes due to recent destructive floods. However, the lands are not currently being distributed to those truly deserving. The Taliban are allocating these lands to their Pashtun relatives who are members of the Taliban.”
Haji Murad, another resident of this district, opens up about the helplessness and destitution prevalent among the people in Dasht-e Qala. He says, “The people are extremely destitute and helpless. They cannot find their daily meals. Throughout the day, they are either engaged in farming or working as laborers. They have suffered greatly in the floods, and their homes have been destroyed. They deserve assistance, but unfortunately, the Taliban are distributing these lands to Pashtuns who are not from this area.”
The complaints of Dasht-e Qala residents come as Obaidullah Aminzada, the Taliban governor in Takhar, had stated during the inauguration of this township that the land would be distributed to those affected by the floods and the needy in this district. The Taliban governor had said, “I hope we should not witness the distribution of this township houses to those who are not from this area.”
However, local Taliban officials in the urban planning department of Takhar province insist that this residential township, covering an area of 104 acres and accommodating a total of 147 resettlement units, will be distributed to 147 homeless families. According to them, this township will have all the facilities of a standard township.
It is worth noting that this residential township includes two mosques, two school buildings, one clinic, a green space, a kindergarten, and a recreational park. The Taliban have committed to developing the buildings of this township.
