Afghanistan: Taliban Leader Bans Sale and Transfer of State Land without Approval

Jan 6, 2026 | Ahmad Azizi
Amu TV
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Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued a decree banning the sale, distribution and transfer of state-owned land by government bodies without his direct approval, according to an order published on Tuesday.

The three-article decree, released by the Taliban body responsible for enforcing leadership orders, says ministries, government departments and municipalities are prohibited from selling or allocating state land to individuals or legal entities unless authorised by Akhundzada.

The order also bars the transfer of state land between ministries, departments and municipalities without the Taliban leader’s approval, allowing exceptions only in cases deemed necessary and approved through a special decree.

The move comes amid widespread disputes over land ownership in Afghanistan, where rapid urbanisation, population growth and years of conflict have fuelled tensions over access to land and housing.

Over the past four years, residents and rights groups have repeatedly accused the Taliban of seizing large tracts of land from private owners and reclassifying them as state property, particularly around major cities and development zones — allegations the Taliban have denied.