KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Local officials say around 500 acres of industrial park land in southern Kandahar, which had been usurped nearly two decades ago by some strongmen, has been reclaimed following completion of legal and administrative procedures.
Mohammad Hanif Hekmal, spokesman for the Kandahar Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, told Pajhwok on Saturday that, based on a decision of the High Commission for Prevention of Usurpation of State Lands and Recovery of Usurped Lands, a technical committee for preventing land seizure, in coordination with the police command, intelligence agency, and other relevant departments, recovered about 500 acres of industrial park land in the 5th district of Kandahar city from usurpers.
According to him, individuals claiming ownership of the land were repeatedly asked to present legal and religious documents. As they failed to provide valid proof, they were continuously warned to voluntarily vacate the land and hand it over to authorities.
Hekmal added that after the warnings were not heeded, the technical committee launched practical operations, demolishing buildings and other structures erected on the land and removing it from the control of the occupiers.
He said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to carrying out anti-land-grabbing operations based on religious, legal, and procedural standards, and that no one will be allowed to illegally or forcibly occupy state land.
Officials said the reclaimed industrial park land will be used for industrial and commercial development, and access for investors will be facilitated through legal mechanisms.
Pajhwok has previously reported on the recovery of Kandahar’s industrial park lands, investor complaints, and challenges facing industrial development.
According to information from the Department of Agriculture, in the past year alone around 35,000 jeribs of state land in Kandahar have been recovered from usurpation.
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