An investigative report by Afghanistan International Pashto reveals that around 50 high-ranking Taliban officials have purchased or "seized" luxury homes worth millions of dollars in the affluent Aino Maina neighbourhood of Kandahar.
Sources have confirmed to Afghanistan International that the value of these homes range from $90,000 to $1 million.
Some Taliban officials have reportedly begun constructing modern homes in Aino Maina, with costs estimated to reach as high as $8 million.
Afghanistan International conducted interviews with at least 50 sources, including four real estate agents in Kandahar, for this report.
Aino Maina, a posh neighbourhood in Kandahar, was previously home to government officials, businessmen, and some "smugglers" during the previous regime. Since the Taliban's rise to power, it has become a favoured and secure location for Taliban officials, with many of these homes now serving as residences and investment properties for the group's leaders.
Many of these properties are opulent palaces and luxurious guesthouses.
Sources indicate that approximately 90% of high-ranking Kandahari Taliban officials have either purchased or seized homes in Aino Maina. Some Taliban officials from other provinces have also bought homes or started constructing new ones in the area.
According to Afghanistan International's investigation, several Taliban officials who have acquired these expensive homes in Aino Maina did not possess such wealth or assets when the group first came to power.
Sources estimate the total value of the homes owned by Taliban members in Aino Maina to exceed $13 million.
The Taliban are reportedly keen to buy or build homes in Aino Maina due to its safety and ease of control.
Here are details on some of the Taliban officials who have acquired new homes and palaces in Aino Maina:
Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, Taliban Leader
Sources report that Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the reclusive leader of the Taliban, has seized the guest house of General Abdul Raziq, the former police commander of Kandahar, located in the western part of Aino Maina.
The source added that Akhundzada frequently resides in this luxurious guesthouse and meets Taliban ministers there. In addition to the guest house, the Taliban leader has also seized General Raziq's home.
It is also reported that Mullah Hibatullah has taken over the house of Tadin Khan, General Raziq's brother, located opposite the guesthouse, and turned it into his residence.
The total cost of the guesthouse and two homes is estimated to be around $1.5 million.
To secure Akhundzada's guesthouse, the Taliban have blocked four roads in the neighbourhood, preventing any free movement in the area.
Fathullah Mansoor, Son of Former Taliban Leader Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor
Fathullah Mansoor, the son of the former Taliban leader and current Deputy Minister of Transportation and Civil Aviation, has reportedly purchased a home in Aino Maina's western parts for $350,000.
Before his current position, Mansoor was in charge of Kandahar airport, which was previously one of the largest US military bases after the Bagram airfield in Afghanistan.
Mansoor has been repeatedly accused of selling US-supplied equipment and vehicles in the "black market”.
Abdul Manan Omari, Brother of Taliban founder
Abdul Manan Omari, the brother of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar and the current Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, has purchased a $400,000 home in Aino Maina for his second wife.
Two credible sources told Afghanistan International that during Omari's tenure as Minister of Public Works, he withheld six months' worth of revenue from the Aqina port, approximately $1 million, from the government's treasury.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Taliban's Deputy
Prime Minister for Economic Affairs
Sources revealed that Mullah Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, owns several homes in Aino Maina's 31st to 33rd streets. These properties house his sons, family members, and relatives, with values ranging from $100,000 to $600,000.
Hidayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum
Hidayatullah Badri, the current Minister of Mines and Petroleum and former Minister of Finance and head of the Taliban-controlled central bank, has built a home and guesthouse in Aino Maina worth $600,000.
Sources claim Badri is the wealthiest Taliban official, with his primary source of income being the drug trade.
Mullah Abdul Haq, Deputy Minister for Counter-Narcotics
Mullah Abdul Haq, the Deputy Minister for Counter-Narcotics at the Ministry of Interior, has purchased a $285,000 home in Aino Maina, where his family currently resides.
Abdul Ahad Talib, Commander of Mullah Hibatullah's Special Forces
Abdul Ahad Talib, the commander of Mullah Hibatullah's special forces, has seized the home of a former National Security employee, as well as another house in Aino Maina.
The total value of both homes is estimated at over $300,000.
Yusouf Wafa, Taliban Governor of Balkh
Yusouf Wafa, the former Taliban governor of Kandahar and current governor of Balkh province, has purchased a large hotel and two adjacent houses in Aino Maina's second district, each valued at $400,000.
Two roads leading to Wafa's home have been blocked, restricting access. His brother has also purchased a home in Aino Maina where his family resides.
These are just a few examples of the Taliban officials who have purchased or seized homes in Aino Maina. The total value of properties owned by these individuals is estimated at over $4.2 million.
In addition to these properties, Taliban officials are building new homes, schools, and guest houses in the second and third districts of Aino Maina and in the Bagh area, although exact costs are not yet available.
When the Taliban first regained control of Afghanistan, they seized many homes in this neighbourhood that belonged to officials of the previous government, including military commanders, provincial council members, and security personnel. Many of these homes remain under Taliban control today.
One former Afghan security commander, whose home was seized by the Taliban and returned after two years, told Afghanistan International, "Some former commanders' homes are still occupied by the Taliban. When they gave me back my home, nothing was left intact, and many belongings were taken."
Security in Aino Maina
The Taliban have made significant efforts to prevent photography and video recording in Aino Maina.
Taliban’s security forces have set up checkpoints throughout the area, and during visits by Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada or Taliban ministers, mobile phone networks are often disabled, and movement is restricted.
AFCO Construction Company
AFCO Construction Company is responsible for building, buying, selling, and managing homes, shops, and apartments in Aino Maina.
The company's operations are led by Mahmood Karzai, the brother of former Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
A source told Afghanistan International that the Taliban have largely taken control of property transactions from AFCO, with Taliban members no longer registering many of their homes with the company.
Currently, the company only handles cleaning, electrical services, and related maintenance tasks.
Aino Maina's construction began in 2002, initiated by Mahmood Karzai, and it now comprises five sections. The area offers comprehensive amenities, including educational and healthcare facilities, playgrounds, parks, and guesthouses.