Bamyan Province Faces Neglect as Promised Development Projects Fail to Materialize

Reports from Bamyan indicate that despite repeated promises from Taliban officials, no development projects funded by the national budget have been implemented in the province. Instead, revenue from Bamyan’s mines is being directed towards Taliban projects in the provinces of Zabul and Maidan Wardak…

Neglect of Development and Infrastructure Deterioration

Local sources in Bamyan Province have reported that over time, and despite frequent pledges from Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the former Deputy Prime Minister of the Taliban, the province remains overlooked in terms of development and investment, with no national budget projects being implemented.

According to these sources, key routes such as Kabul–Bamyan and Yakawlang–Center Bamyan have suffered severe damage due to heavy vehicles transporting mining goods. Meanwhile, the income generated from Bamyan’s mines is not being used to develop infrastructure in the province but is instead being allocated to Taliban projects in Zabul and Maidan Wardak. Moreover, mining contractors have failed to fulfill their social service commitments in the areas around the mining operations.

Water Crisis, Mismanagement of Aid, and Unresolved Complaints

Local sources also highlighted a critical issue concerning water management. Although the Baba Mountains are regarded as one of the largest water sources in the country, the lack of water management and the construction of water control dams have left the people of Bamyan grappling with prolonged drought and extensive damage for years.

In addition, Bamyan residents claim that humanitarian aid designated for them has been mismanaged by local authorities associated with the Taliban and has not reached the intended recipients.

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

Systematic Exclusion of Shia Employees

Other reports indicate religious discrimination within the administrative structures of the province. Residents of Bamyan express that Shia employees have been largely excluded from high-ranking government positions in this province, with their presence at the level of departments and directorates not exceeding a handful. This action reflects a systematic exclusion of Shia personnel from provincial management levels.