MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN): The gap between residents of Charbulak district in northern Balkh province and the government has narrowed, claims the district chief, citing the establishment of a local police force and efforts at reconstruction.
Zabihullah Zahid, who took over as the district’s administrative head two and a half month ago, told Pajhwok Afghan News on Monday insecurity and a long-lasting halt to development activities had been reasons behind the gap.
He said efforts were being made to fight administrative corruption and strengthen security forces in the town, where a 300-member strong Afghan Local Police (APL) contingent had been raised.
"The situation in Charbulak has improved somewhat, compared with the past," said Zahid, who acknowledged the district was in desperate need of further development projects. He accused his predecessors of failing to deliver services to residents in areas of agriculture and irrigation.
The district chief said farmers faced an acute shortage of irrigation water and that he had shared the issue with top provincial officials. Zahid suggested the irrigation problems could be resolved through digging deep wells.
He also complained about a lack of healthcare services in the town, located 40 km northwest of Mazar-i-Sharif. There were only seven clinics operating in a district of 120 villages.
There are 40 schools in Charbulak, with 25 having no proper buildings, according to the district chief, who urged the ministry concerned to resolve problems hindering the promotion of education in the district.