Hairatan dray port revenue falls

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN): Import duty on liquefied gas and fuel has dwindled by 50 percent in the northern province of Balkh, officials said on Sunday.

Revenue from fuel imports through the Hairatan dry port fell to $5 million, compared with $8 million in the previous year.

Mohammad Saber Zaheer, head of fuel and liquefied gas department at the port, told Pajhwok Afghan News the decline was linked to unhealthy competition among traders and a customs duty hike

“Pakistan and Iran, concerned over Afghan fuel imports from Uzbekistan, are goading traders into import goods through Torkham and Islam Qala dry ports,” he added.

But a trader, Syed Tahir Roshanzada, accused the government of paying no attention to the customs department’s improvement. He alleged the the officials concerned were involved in corruption.

Myn/mud