The Helmand Provincial Council says Taliban make money from extortion on development projects in the southern province. 
 
Head of the council, Attaullah Afghan, said the group mostly gets money from the projects being implemented in insecure areas of the province.
 
“All the people and Helmand governor confirm the issue that Taliban gets money from development projects. They even talk to telecommunications companies’ owners in Lashkargah city and ask them to give them money otherwise they will prevent the implementation of project in the areas that they are controlling,” said Afghan. 
 
Helmand Governor Yasin Khan did not comment on Taliban’s extortion from development projects but he said the number of development projects in Helmand has increased. 
 
“This year, there were more development projects comparing to the last year. The projects include bridges, roads, electricity and water dams,” Khan said. 
 
Mohammad Khan Nusrat, the provincial director of economy, said more development projects have been inaugurated in the province this year. 
 
Statistics by Helmand’s Economy Directorate show that 221 development projects were implemented and completed in province last year. 
Taliban has not commented on the allegations.