Taliban Minister Visits Religious and Infrastructure Sites in Balkh Province
Sheikh Noor Mohammad Saqib, the Taliban regime’s Minister of Guidance, Hajj and Religious Affairs, has visited several religious, cultural, and infrastructure sites in Balkh Province during an official trip.
According to the ministry, Saqib inspected parts of the Rawza Mubarak complex in Balkh, which had been damaged by a recent earthquake. He provided local officials with recommendations for standard reconstruction and preserving the site’s historical significance. The Rawza Mubarak is considered one of Balkh’s most important religious and historical landmarks, and its damage has raised concerns among residents.
During the visit, the minister also toured the province’s library, the historical museum, and the museum’s restoration laboratory. He assessed the preservation conditions and restoration process of ancient artifacts.
Later in his trip, Sheikh Noor Mohammad Saqib visited the headworks of the Qosh Tepa Canal. He described the project as vital for the country’s economic growth and food security, stating that once completed, the canal would contribute to grain self-sufficiency. His comments come amid growing calls from residents and experts for transparency, equitable water resource management, and attention to the social impacts of such large-scale projects under Taliban governance.
