The Taliban’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Abdul Latif Nazari, has stated that on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, he visited a number of impoverished families living in caves in Bamyan Province and described showing sympathy for their situation as part of his religious, humanitarian, and social responsibilities.
In a message released on Sunday, he said that he had traveled to Bamyan to extend Eid greetings and met with cave-dwelling families. He expressed hope that helping those in need would become a social norm and cultural practice.
According to reports, this is the first time a senior Taliban official has visited cave-dwelling families in Bamyan, a group considered among the most marginalized and deprived communities in the country.
According to the office of the Taliban governor in Bamyan, several other Taliban officials also traveled to the province during the Eid holidays. However, no official or practical report has yet been released regarding improvements in the living conditions of the cave dwellers or efforts to resolve their problems.
Most of these cave dwellers belong to the Hazara and Shia communities, while Abdul Latif Nazari is also regarded as one of the few Hazara officials within the Taliban administration.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, said during the early days of the group’s rule that the government would build new townships for Bamyan’s cave dwellers so that they could be freed from their harsh living conditions.
However, not only has this promise remained unfulfilled, but some cave dwellers also claimed last year that they had faced pressure to leave their homes through forced displacement.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
