De facto municipal authorities in Kandahar have issued immediate eviction directives to shopkeepers across two major commercial centers in the city’s 4th District, preparing for the total demolition of the Mandawi and Kabari markets.
According to local commercial sources reporting on Monday, October 26, shopkeepers operating near the municipal administration buildings and the provincial governor’s office were formally instructed to vacate their premises within days.
Severe Capital Losses and Market Disruption
The planned demolition directly threatens the primary livelihoods of thousands of urban traders and risks wiping out substantial private capital investments:
- Scale of Displacement: Built on municipal-owned land, the two commercial complexes collectively house approximately 2,000 active shops.
- Essential Commercial Sectors: The markets serve as central trading hubs for food staples, textiles, curtains, fresh fruits, vegetables, herbal medicine, and automotive spare parts across Kandahar city.
- Private Capital at Risk: Local business representatives estimate that total private investments in inventory, store infrastructure, and commercial leaseholds across the two centers exceed 400 million Afghanis ($400M AFN).
Redevelopment Without Alternative Solutions or Compensation
Municipal representatives in Kandahar confirmed the demolition plans, stating that the existing structures will be cleared to make way for two modern, high-density commercial complexes.
However, municipal authorities have failed to outline any official compensation mechanisms for shopkeepers facing total financial loss. Furthermore, no temporary or permanent alternative commercial spaces have been allocated to absorb the displaced vendors.
Traders and local economic observers warn that forcibly clearing established commercial hubs without transitional support will aggravate urban poverty, trigger widespread business failures, and further undermine private investment confidence across southern urban markets.