The Taliban have stopped local uplift schemes, barring health clinics from functioning and halting polio vaccination in southern Zabul province.
Public Health Director Lal Mohammad Tokhi told Pajhwok Afghan News on Sunday the Taliban had asked them to stop delivering health services and halt the vaccination drive.
The insurgents, the official alleged, imposed the restrictions after the government banned the fighters from riding motorcycles.
For security reasons, the local authorities imposed a ban on riding motorcycles in the province. The ban is still in force.
According to Tokhi 70 percent health services had been affected in the province due to the Taliban imposed ban. He added clinics and health services had been active in the areas where security situation is improved.
Meanwhile, the Sanaye Development Organization (SDO), which executing local uplift programs in the province, claimed receiving threats from the Taliban.
SDO official Mohammad Wazir Hamdard told Pajhwok Afghan News they also received a message from the Taliban on Saturday regarding a halt to the delivery of services.
According to some sources, the Taliban also warned of closing schools but Education Director Nasrullah Zahid said they had received no such threat. All schools across the province remained open, he concluded.
