Bamyan Left Behind: Unfulfilled Promises and Resource Misallocation by Taliban

Sources in Bamyan have reported that despite repeated promises from Taliban officials, no developmental projects have been implemented in this province using the national budget. Instead, the revenue generated from Bamyan’s mines is being used for Taliban projects in the provinces of Zabul and Maidan Wardak.

Neglect of Development and Infrastructure Damage

Local sources in Bamyan province have announced that despite the continuous promises made by Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the former Deputy Prime Minister of the Taliban, the region remains overlooked in terms of developmental projects and investment, with no national budget projects having been realized.

According to these sources, vital roads such as Kabul–Bamyan and Yakawlang–Bamyan city have suffered significant damage due to heavy trucks transporting mining goods. Meanwhile, revenue from Bamyan’s mines is being allocated to Taliban projects in Zabul and Maidan Wardak instead of being used to develop the province’s infrastructure. Additionally, mining contract companies have failed to fulfill their social service commitments in the areas surrounding the mines.

Water Crisis, Mismanagement of Aid, and Fruitless Complaints

Local sources have also highlighted a fundamental issue with water management. Despite the Baba Mountains being one of the largest water sources in the country, a lack of water management and the construction of dams has left the people of Bamyan grappling with drought and extensive damage for years.

Furthermore, residents of Bamyan claim that humanitarian aid designated for the people of this province is being misappropriated by local Taliban officials and does not reach the intended beneficiaries.

An informed source emphasized that even Bamyan scholars—who are considered supporters of the Taliban government—have raised these complaints with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir on two occasions, but there have been no tangible results.

Systematic Exclusion of Shia Employees

Another part of the reports indicates religious discrimination within the administrative structure of the province. Residents of Bamyan state that Shia employees have been virtually removed from all high government positions, with their representation in leadership and management roles barely exceeding a handful. This action reflects a systematic exclusion of Shia employees from provincial managerial levels.