Taliban Ministry Warns Against Uncoordinated Interventions in Kabul’s Bagh-e Bala Historic Area

The Directorate for the Preservation of Ancient Cities, under the Taliban’s Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, has announced that following a field inspection of the historic Bagh-e Bala area in District 4 of Kabul city, several technical inconsistencies in the implementation of development projects have been identified.

According to the ministry’s statement, although improvements have been made in sidewalks, roads, and green spaces, some of these interventions do not fully comply with the principles of cultural heritage preservation, the maintenance of historical authenticity, and the historic landscape characteristics of the area. The agency warned that continuing such conditions could negatively impact the historical identity and environmental significance of Bagh-e Bala.

The statement emphasized that based on evaluation findings, existing interventions need to be reviewed and readjusted under strict technical supervision by the responsible authorities to prevent gradual damage to the historical identity of this area.

The Directorate referred to Decree No. (1) dated 05/01/1445 AH, issued by the esteemed Amir al-Mu’minin (may God protect him and his followers), and also to international ICOMOS standards, stating that any actions in historic areas must follow the principles of limited intervention, authenticity preservation, and harmony with the historic landscape.

Urban experts have previously expressed concerns about the lack of transparent oversight and standardized plans in some reconstruction projects in Kabul, warning that if such issues persist, part of the capital’s cultural heritage could face the risk of gradual erosion.