Charchino residents want war-ruined homes rebuilt

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): Some residents of Charchino district in central Uruzgan province have called on the caretaker government to reconstruct homes and shops destroyed during years of conflict and to provide essential public services in their area.

Lal Mohammad, a resident of the district bazaar, told Pajhwok Afghan News that his home had been located on the frontlines of war over the past two decades. It frequently changed hands between warring parties and was eventually destroyed.

“I returned after the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), but my home had been reduced to rubble,” he said.

Lal Mohammad has now been living in a partially collapsed structure for over three years, unable to afford reconstruction.

Raz Mohammad, another resident and shopkeeper, said the district bazaar suffered extensive damage during the conflict.

“Shops were destroyed multiple times and our goods were repeatedly lost. Many shops still lie in ruins,” he recalled.

He added that the market remained on the frontlines for four years, during which time shopkeepers had no access to their businesses.

Residents are urging the government to help rebuild homes and commercial properties destroyed during the war.

In addition to reconstruction, residents have highlighted severe difficulties in accessing basic services and have called on the authorities to address long-standing challenges.

Among the main concerns are the lack of a standard, well-equipped hospital, poor road conditions, a shortage of schools, and the absence of a clean and organised drinking water system.

Abdul Hadi, a resident of the Oshi area, said the district market has only one health centre, which is insufficient to serve the local population.

“For even basic illnesses, we are forced to take patients to the provincial hospital, as treatment is not possible within the district,” he noted.

Mira Jan, a resident of the Sango area, also urged the government to build schools, improve access to clean drinking water, and repair the main road connecting Charchino to Tirinkot, the provincial capital.

Meanwhile, local officials have acknowledged the concerns of Charchino residents and pledged to respond.

Uruzgan Governor Maulvi Inayatullah Shuja told Pajhwok: “We have shared the various problems faced by district residents with central authorities.”

He said that issues falling under the control of the provincial government are being addressed, while those requiring national attention have been referred to the relevant ministries.

He assured residents that a number of their concerns would be resolved in the near future.

kk/sa