RASC News Agency: Local sources from Takhar province report that Abdul Basir Faizani, commander of the Taliban’s “Laser Unit,” has unlawfully seized a public sports field in Khwaja Bahauddin district. According to these sources, Faizani has appropriated land belonging to the local municipality, converting it into a futsal field, which he now rents out to athletes. The commander reportedly charges 700 kabuli rupees per hour of play, yielding him an estimated daily income of 15,000 kabuli rupees.
Athletes from the district have expressed frustration, stating that they had been using the field for over a decade for recreational purposes. However, since the field’s conversion two weeks ago, they are now forced to pay in order to continue their activities. Additionally, athletes claim they are no longer permitted to use the surrounding area for playing. Reports also indicate that Faizani is in the process of constructing walls around the futsal field, further limiting access.
This incident is the latest in a series of reports detailing land grabs by Taliban officials in Takhar. Despite the group’s repeated claims of fighting corruption and promoting transparency, it has become increasingly clear that their ranks are rife with malfeasance. Over the past year, it has become evident that neither the lives nor the property of Afghanistani citizens are secure under Taliban rule. Furthermore, public assets are being seized for personal gain, with no effective mechanism within the Taliban government to hold these officials accountable or protect the public interest.
