Local Governance in Afghanistan: A View from the Ground

Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit
2011
Annex 2: Profiles of Research Provinces
Day Kundi Province
Geography: Day Kundi is bordered by Bamiyan to the north, Ghor to the north and west, Uruzgan to
the south, Helmand to the southwest, and Ghazni to the east. Its seven districts are Ashtarlai, Khedir,
Kijran, Kiti, Miramor, Sang-i-Takht and Shahristan. Nili is the provincial capital.
Population and ethnic composition: The estimated population of Day Kundi is 424,100. 154 Of these,
38,400 live in Nili. The population is overwhelmingly Hazara. Pashtuns and Baluchis are the two
minorities and inhabit the south of the province.
Governance overview: Day Kundi was carved out of Uruzgan and given provincial status in 2004.
Gizab, the largest and most populated district of Day Kundi, was awarded to Uruzgan by the
government in 2006. The decision was disputed by then provincial governor of Day Kundi, Sultan
Ali Uruzgani. The issue remains unresolved. Education and vaccination is provided in Gizab by
Uruzgan while provision of other health facilities and arrangements for pilgrims to be sent to Hajj is
undertaken by Day Kundi. The district population elects Wolesi Jirga and provincial council members
from Day Kundi. Much of it is under Taliban control. Communications from Day Kundi to Kabul is
hampered by remoteness, mountainous terrain and cold climate. It has received little attention from
the international community, with the exception of two northern districts of Miramor and Shahristan.
A UNAMA sub-office was only opened in 2007. The municipality of Nili is headed by Azra Jafari, the
first female mayor in Afghanistan.
Security: There was little evidence of government control except for the two northern districts of
Miramor and Shahristan. In the west and the northwest, disarmament has not taken place under and
law and order was observed to be in the hands of commanders—two of whom had their own jails
and one of whom was a provincial council member. Communities in the southern districts of Kiti and
Kijran had taken charge of their own security and regularly repelled Taliban attacks. Supplements
were paid to the ANP to encourage them to fulfil their responsibilities. During recent attacks, militias
had restrained them from leaving their posts. The nearest sizeable city to which those in the south
of Day Kundi had access was Kandahar. Trucks and vehicles were subject to attack by armed robbers
and the Taliban, who controlled the road south through Helmand.
Political parties: Hizb-i-Wahadat (Khalili and Mohaqiq factions), Harakat-i-Islami and Insijam-i-Milli
are the major political parties in Day Kundi. Afghan Millat opened a party office in Nili in 2009.
Education: Facility types and number in Day Kundi Province:
Facility Type Primary Secondary High Teacher Training Institute Total
Number 96 177 104 1 318
Source: Interviews with Ministry of Education provincial and district line department heads
Health: Facility types and number in Day Kundi Province:
Facility Name PH DH CHC BHC SC MOB Other Total
Number 1 2 9 13 13 4 0 42
Source: Ministry of Public Health
Key: PH – Provincial Hospital; DH – District Hospital; CHC – Comprehensive Health Clinic; BHC – Basic Health
Clinic; SC – Sub-Centre; MOB – Mobile Clinics.
154 Afghanistan CSO Population Data 1389 (2010-11).
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