KABUL (SW): Latest findings of an anti-corruption watchdog have indicated that some 1.9 million jerib (38000 hectare) of land has been encroached upon in 18 provinces across the country.
The foundation “House of Freedom”, shared the findings with journalists here on Sunday. It noted that exactly 1.94 million jerib of land has been encroached by land mafia. The 100-page study revealed that the mafia bagged millions of dollars by doing so.
The watchdog has only mapped state of property affairs in the capital Kabul, provinces that included Herat, Balkh, Kandahar, Kunduz, Kapisa, Baghlan, Takhar, Nimroz, Khost, Ghazni and Logar.
Shah Hussain Murtazai, representative of the “House of Freedom” said on the occasion that among those blamed for encroaching public property included tribal elders, local commanders, Jihadi leaders, politicians and other influential figures.
He went on to say that among the encroachers included people associated with the security sector and local officials.
He noted that little encroachment has been noted in Noristan, Daikundi, Paktika, Panjshir and Ghor provinces, mainly because of their mountainous topography.
He mentioned that the Hindu minority particularly witnessed major losses as up to 90 of their properties in Kabul, Khost, Nangarhar, Ghazni, Helmand and Kandahar provinces were encroached upon.
ENDS
