Taliban Leader Elevates Commission for Return of Usurped Lands to Ministry

Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued decree No. 5377/717 elevating the Commission for the Return of Usurped Lands to a full ministry and approving its new organizational structure, according to an official document signed by Abdul Hakim Haqani, Taliban Justice Minister.

Haqani, who previously headed the commission and has faced multiple accusations of land grabbing in recent months, circulated the document to relevant institutions, including the ministries of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock; Urban Development and Housing; Borders, Tribes and Ethnicity; the Supreme Court; a special court for usurped lands in the central zone; and other bodies.

The document states that Akhundzada will appoint a new minister for the ministry. Until then, Mullah Ehsanullah Waseeq, head of the General Prosecution Office, has been assigned as acting head. Waseeq also currently serves as secretary of the commission preventing land grabbing and returning usurped lands. The document emphasizes that he will manage affairs in line with Akhundzada's directives and relevant guidelines, alongside his primary duties. It includes sample signatures of the new acting head and commission secretary for distribution to relevant entities.

Taliban spokespeople have not commented on the document or the creation of the new ministry.