According to the recent decree of the Prime Minister, permission has been granted for the construction of residential buildings in Kabul and other provinces of the country, a decision that has been met with widespread public approval and positive reactions. Under this new policy, citizens can obtain construction permits after verification of a Sharia-compliant deed, tax receipt, and relevant transaction documents. In addition, residents are required to obtain confirmation from the local mosque’s imam to further strengthen social trust and community cohesion.
This measure comes at a time when, in recent years, the shortage of housing and the problem of homelessness—particularly due to the return of migrants—has increased. The government has stated that this decision is primarily aimed at addressing this issue, enabling families without adequate housing to build their homes legally and more easily. Furthermore, municipalities have been instructed to identify within one month those areas where construction is not feasible due to various reasons, such as flood risks, historical sites, and other locations where urban planning regulations cannot be applied.
An important aspect of the new policy is that in areas lacking an official urban plan, individuals will be required to provide a commitment that if a future urban plan is implemented and their buildings are subject to demolition, they will not claim compensation. This measure both facilitates the organized development of cities in the future and provides people with the opportunity to meet their current housing needs.
Additionally, according to the decree, buildings must be used solely for residential purposes, should not exceed three stories, and must be constructed without basements. These conditions have been set to maintain urban order and to prevent potential technical and environmental issues. It has also been emphasized that no construction should take place on public road pathways or in areas designated as restricted by municipal authorities.
People consider this step a positive and timely action by the government. According to many residents, obtaining construction permits in the past was a lengthy and complicated process filled with bureaucratic obstacles, which not only wasted time but also discouraged people from engaging in legal construction activities. However, with the introduction of these new facilities, it is expected that the process will become simpler, faster, and more transparent, allowing citizens to build their homes with confidence.
Residents of Kabul and people from other provinces believe that this decision will help address the housing shortage to a certain extent. In particular, families who have long struggled due to the lack of housing will now have the opportunity to build permanent homes. On the other hand, the expansion of construction activities will also have a positive impact on employment, as building homes creates job opportunities for various professions, including laborers, engineers, and other technical workers.
Economic analysts also consider this step important for improving the country’s economic situation, as activating the construction sector can play a significant role in stimulating the market. The demand for construction materials is expected to increase, which will, in turn, boost commercial activities and positively affect various sectors of the economy.
Meanwhile, the government has emphasized that the “New Kabul” project is exempt from these provisions and will follow its own specific regulations. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior and police commands have been instructed not to intervene in construction matters without a request from municipalities, in order to enhance coordination among institutions and reduce unnecessary obstacles.
Overall, this new decision is regarded by the public as a significant and effective step that not only addresses the housing crisis but also plays a fundamental role in employment generation, economic growth, and the improvement of urban order. It is hoped that with the proper implementation of this policy, the appearance of cities will improve and the quality of life of citizens will rise in the coming years.
