KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s Ministry of Justice announced on Thursday that more than 31 hectares of land in the Sherpur neighborhood of Police District 10 in the capital have been seized, declaring the area as state property.
In a statement, the ministry said the land, which has been classified as “Emirate property,” was being confiscated under a decree issued by the Taliban’s supreme leader. The statement also warned of consequences for those found to have unlawfully occupied the land.
“The land, bordered to the east by streets 16, 6, and 15 of Wazir Akbar Khan; to the west by Qassabi Alley; to the north by Wazir Akbar Khan Hill and Shaheed Square; and to the south by Sher Ali Khan Road, has been reviewed by the Technical Committee of the Commission to Prevent Land Seizure and Confiscation, in coordination with Kabul Municipality,” the statement read.
The Taliban claimed that no documentation had been provided to demonstrate private ownership of the parcels, which were reportedly designated for specific purposes in the past. However, the Taliban said the area had been developed “arbitrarily and against planned designs.”
Since assuming power in August 2021, the Taliban have made land confiscation a cornerstone of their governance, frequently reclaiming property they deem to belong to the state. While the Taliban defends the policy as a measure to restore order, it has faced criticism from individuals who claim rightful ownership of the seized lands and from local residents who view the actions as heavy-handed.
The Sherpur neighborhood, a coveted area in Kabul, has long been a site of contention. Once a green zone, it has seen a surge in upscale development over the years, including luxury homes and government buildings, often at the expense of city planning regulations.
