Local Governance in Afghanistan: A View from the Ground

Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit
2011
Laghman Province
Geography: Laghman is bordered by Kabul and Kapisa to the west, Panjsher and Nuristan to the
north, Kunar to the east and Nangarhar to the south. Its four districts are Alingar, Alishing, Dawlat
Shah and Qarghayi. Mehterlam is the provincial capital.
Population and ethnic composition: The estimated population of Laghman is 410,300. 156 Of these,
128,800 live in Mehtarlam. The main ethnicities are Pashtun, Pashai and Tajik. In addition, there are
small numbers of Nuristanis and some Kuchi. The Pashai inhabit the side valleys along the Alingar and
Alishing rivers.
Governance overview: The present provincial governor of Laghman is Mohammad Iqbal Azizi. Previous
governors included Gulab Mangal and Lutfullah Mashal. There was a Taliban shadow government in
each of the districts. Their consent was required for the appointment of local government officials
to take place.
Security: There has been a history of internal strife between powerful commanders representing the
Taliban, HIA and Jamiat. Security is reasonably good close to Mehtarlam. Laghman had a strong US
PRT presence that with the ANA ensured security in and around the provincial centre of Mehterlam
and the main roads leading to Alingar and Alishing. However, the side valleys in those two districts
were unsafe and under the influence of Taliban and HIA groups. It was difficult for the military to
travel by road to the northern district of Dawlat Shah, which was controlled by the Taliban and HIA.
The main road from Kabul to Jalalabad that runs through the southern district of Qarghayi was subject
to sporadic Taliban attacks. A large number of Talibs were locals and extended families often had
members in both the police and the Taliban. During the last five years none of the police in Qarghayi
had been harmed. On occasion the Taliban would inform the police chief of an attack to avoid loss of
life. Reciprocal arrangements were in place. There were also reports of an Al Qaeda presence with
fighters from Pakistan and other countries. The 2009 assassination of Dr Abdullah Laghmani, deputy
head of the NDS, was a significant event. His death by a suicide bomber was said to be because of his
violent and cruel behaviour toward captured Talibs. Among the 23 people killed in the incident was
HIA member and two-time provincial councillor Emaduddeen Abdulrahimzai.
Political Parties: The main political parties in the province are HIA and Afghan Millat. Other parties
with a presence are Jamiat-i-Islami, mainly in the Tajik and Pashai-inhabited north, and Mahaz-i-
Milli.
Education: Facility types and number in Laghman Province:
Facility Type Primary Secondary High Madrassa Higher Ed. Institutions Total
Number 68 95 88 12 2 265
Source: Interviews with Ministry of Education provincial and district line department heads
Health: Facility types and number in Laghman Province:
Facility Name PH DH CHC BHC SC MOB Other Total
Number 1 0 8 17 14 2 1 43
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.
156 Afghanistan CSO Population Data 1389 (2010-11).
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