Officials from the Commission to Fight Land Grabbers say about 700,000 acres of usurped state-owned land has been reclaimed across Afghanistan since the commission was established.
On a trip to Balkh, the leadership of the commission said during a meeting with local officials that 120,000 acres of usurped land was assessed in the province, of which 11,000 acres of land has been taken back.
“The Islamic Emirate commission has reclaimed about 700,000 acres of land across Afghanistan,” said Ehsanullah Wasiq, a secretary for the commission.
“Some people say they do not have any [ownership] documents, therefore, the commission orders that the land should be returned,” said Acting Minister of Justice Abdul Hakim Sharai.
The members of this commission meanwhile asked Balkh officials to cooperate with them so that usurped land can be reclaimed across the province.
Balkh officials assured members of the commission that they would fully cooperate over the land issue.
“We promise you that we are all committed to the commission’s decision,” said Mohammad Yusuf Wafa, the governor of Balkh.
At the meeting, Acting Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Attaullah Omari said: “Here, there were powerful people who built projects, divided and distributed, made plans and distributed to the people, they gave land documents to the people, took their money, and their money was even collected by a bank, but in reality, it was government land.”
