Bamiyan’s Development Stalled: Taliban’s Broken Promises and Neglected Infrastructure

Sources in Bamiyan reported that despite repeated promises from Taliban officials, no construction project from the national budget has been implemented in this province, and instead, the income from Bamiyan’s mines is being used for Taliban projects in Zabul and Maidan Wardak…

​Neglect of Construction and Destruction of Infrastructure

Local sources in Bamiyan province stated that over time, and despite the repeated promises of Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the former deputy prime minister of the Taliban, this province remains overlooked in terms of construction projects and investment, with no project funded by the national budget being realized there. According to these sources, key roads such as Kabul–Bamiyan and Yakawlang–Center of Bamiyan have been severely damaged due to heavy vehicle traffic carrying mining goods. Meanwhile, the income generated from Bamiyan’s mines is being used for Taliban projects in Zabul and Maidan Wardak instead of developing the infrastructure of Bamiyan itself. Additionally, mining contract companies have failed to fulfill their commitments in the field of social services in the areas surrounding the mines.

​Water Crisis, Misuse of Aid, and Unproductive Complaints

Local sources also pointed to a fundamental problem of water management shortage. Even though the Baba Mountains are among the largest water resources in the country, the lack of water management and the construction of water dams have left the people of Bamiyan engaged in drought and extensive losses for years. Furthermore, residents of Bamiyan say that humanitarian aid allocated for the people of this province has been misused by local Taliban officials and does not reach the people. An informed source emphasized that even Bamiyan scholars — who are considered supporters of the Taliban government — have raised these complaints with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir twice, but no tangible results have followed.

​Systematic Exclusion of Shia Employees

Another part of the reports indicates religious discrimination in the administrative structure of this province. Residents of Bamiyan say that Shia employees have been removed from nearly all high government posts in this province, and their presence in the level of directorates and managements does not exceed the fingers of one hand. This act reflects the systematic exclusion of Shia employees from the provincial management levels.