Powerful figures in Lashkargah illegally occupy houses

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Some powerful figures have occupied hundreds of houses allocated to homeless government servants in the capital of southern Helmand province, an official said on Sunday.

Constructed 45 years ago, 400 houses are occupied by senior officials and some have even rented them out to others, despite the facts that some occupants had been allotted separate land plots.

Tayyeb Attal, the head of a commission tasked with resolving the issue, said: “We have launched an investigation to find out individuals who had illegally occupied the homes.” The commission has so far indentified 108 homes in which powerful officials live.

He said the government had authorised the commission, but some officials were creating hurdles covertly and wanted them to reach a compromise with powerful individuals on their occupation of homes.

A government employee, Shah Mahmood, said: “I receive 6,000 afghanis salary per month and live in a rented house.” Paying the rent and meeting other family’s needs was impossible for him to afford, he said.

The governor’s spokesman, Omar Zwak, confirmed illegal occupation of government houses in Lashkargah, saying a commission had been assigned to investigate the issue.

nh/ma/mud

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