Former Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor has rejected claims that he owns Khalid Bin Walid Township and several other residential developments in the northern Afghan province, saying the Taliban have attributed properties belonging to investors, government institutions and other individuals to him.
In a message published on Sunday, Noor said he was not the owner of any township and specifically rejected claims concerning Khalid Bin Walid Township. He said the development belongs to private investors.
Noor also addressed the Diplomatic Township, saying the property is state-owned and belongs to the municipality. He described claims linking the township to him as baseless.
The remarks came after reports that the Taliban had decided to classify land in 13 townships in Balkh, including Khalid Bin Walid Township, as state property. The reported decision is part of a wider review of land ownership and residential developments in the province.
Noor said the townships established during his tenure as governor of Balkh were developed by private investors through legal procedures. He did not provide detailed documentation in the statement to independently establish the ownership status of each property.
Meanwhile, the Taliban authorities in Balkh have launched a broader process to review ownership of land and residential townships. According to documents circulated publicly, sales, construction and property transfers have been suspended in 38 residential townships across the province.
The ownership of the individual properties remains contested. Noor has denied owning the townships attributed to him, while complete independent information confirming the ownership status of each development is not currently available.
