20 townships in Balkh constructed illegally

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): A two-day workshop on amendments to the national land policy has concluded in Mazar-I-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province.

Government officials, who participated in the event, said the land policy was violated in the construction of many townships, grabbing of pastures and converting farmlands into residential areas.

Organised by the Afghanistan Independent Land Authority (AILA), the seminar ended on Tuesday. Officials and private-sector representatives from the nine northern provinces attended it.

The participants shared their opinions on amendments to the land policy which was recently unveiled by the government, Urban Development Director Eng. Dilawar Mazari told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Twenty townships had been ere built illegally in Mazar-i-Sharif, without permission from the Ministry of Urban Development, he said, adding most of the townships were built in recreational areas or pastures.

Hussain Rahmani, advisor to AILA, said the policy was in the form of a law that would pave the ground for proper use of landed property. “This policy delineates airports, roads, schools, pastures, township, etc.”

Rahmani said the participants conferred on changes to the land policy and shared suggestions on the issue. The proposals are to be submitted to the president for approval after being ratified by the parliament.

Balkh officials said land was not used fairly as the policy was not implemented in letter and spirit. Mazari believed many land-related problems would be resolved once the policy was properly implemented.

Faiz Mehraien, the governor’s office head, acknowledged besides the improper use of land, large areas had been grabbed. He said the illegal process continued from 1990 to 2000 — a period of anarchism.

He said most of the lands had been grabbed and used against the policy during that time. However, he expressed concern over the land still being used in violation of the policy in Balkh province.

mds/mud

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