Construction of $1.46 Million Prison Begins in Panjshir Province
Local officials in Panjshir province have officially commenced the construction of the central prison facility with a budget of 116 million afghanis (approximately $1.46 million). The project is being carried out on more than 11 jeribs of land in the Baharak area of Bazarak, the provincial capital of Panjshir.
Heyatullah Himmat, head of prison administration in Panjshir, stated that the prison is designed with 23 blocks and will include 100 rooms, a mosque, a sports complex, an educational center, academic and training classes, vocational and industrial sections, a carpentry workshop, and a detention center. According to him, the project is funded by the General Directorate of Prisons under the Taliban administration.
Meanwhile, Hafiz Mohammad Agha Hakim, governor of Panjshir, welcomed the start of the project, saying that the Taliban administration is implementing several development projects based on the needs of the province. He described prisons under Taliban administration as “educational centers” and claimed that many released prisoners have reintegrated into society with religious, vocational, and sports skills.
However, the focus on expanding prison facilities comes amid complaints from Panjshir residents about the lack of fundamental projects in infrastructure and public services. Critics argue that public resources should be prioritized transparently and based on the immediate needs of the people.
According to a press release from the Panjshir media office, last year only the construction of retaining walls, fencing, and watchtowers of this prison, valued at 13 million afghanis, was completed. This year, the main phase of the facility’s construction has begun.
