RASC News Agency: Reports from Herat province in western Afghanistan suggest that senior Taliban officials are seeking to purchase properties from non-Pashtun ethnic groups in the province. A knowledgeable source in Herat province, speaking on condition of anonymity to RASC News Agency on Sunday, April 21st, stated, “Now that the Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan, they are taking advantage of the opportunities before them to purchase land, houses, and gardens from the people to acquire the properties of the province’s residents with their newfound funds.”
According to reports from Herat province, some Taliban officials have informed real estate agents that if families intend to sell their properties at a reasonable price, they should coordinate with them so that they can purchase their homes and land. The source added that the Taliban are exploiting the situation to purchase properties from non-Pashtun ethnic groups in Herat and other western provinces of Afghanistan.
The source noted, “The Taliban have already acquired a significant number of properties from Tajiks, Uzbeks, and especially Hazaras in various areas, notably in the Hajji Abbas area and Khattam al-Anbiya neighborhood.” The source indicated that although this may seem ordinary, it could lead to future disruptions for the country’s citizens. Meanwhile, another source in Herat province observed that many large and small markets in the province have been found to belong to Taliban mullahs and qaris but have been entrusted to someone else as a precaution.
According to the source, the Taliban have already purchased a significant portion of land in the outskirts of Herat province and are now considering purchasing properties in the city and downtown. Several residents of Herat province confirmed that the Taliban have used the money they acquired in Afghanistan to buy the most expensive houses in the city.
Rafi Karimi, a pseudonym for one of the residents of Herat province, told RASC Rasa News Agency, “Taliban members who came to the city years ago on an old motorcycle from the remotest parts of Afghanistan are now not satisfied even with the latest and best cars.” He added, “Now, even an ordinary Taliban member has managed to own several acres of land, two or three houses, and has amassed over one to two million Kabuli rupees from their so-called jihadist activities.”
Despite this, Eman Rahmati, a political analyst in western Afghanistan, confirms that the top-ranking Taliban officials have purchased a significant amount of property in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He adds that compared to Afghanistan, Taliban officials have bought more houses in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates because they realize there is little hope of staying and living in Afghanistan and therefore do not wish to spend their ill-gotten gains in the country.
Taliban officials in Herat province have not made any statements regarding this news that would satisfy the public.
