MPs find ‘evidence’ about Torkham port corruption

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): A parliamentary delegation on Tuesday claimed finding evidence suggesting corruption and irregularities remained endemic at the Torkham dry port in eastern Nangarhar province.

The lower house or Wolesi Jirga team, headed by Syed Hassan Sharifi Balkhabi, traveled to the port city after allegations of corruption at the customs offices of the port.

Balkhabi, who heads the house commission on reforms and judicial affairs, said the delegation had completed its report on corruption allegations at the customs offices, commissionerate, transport and municipality departments and the findings would be shared with the lower house soon.

 “There is difference in figures with different departments about registered axel goods vehicles, which suggests that money is taken from some vehicles and others are not fined for exceeding the tare weight,” he said.

He said the lawmakers after reading the report would summon the authorities concerned to grill them on corruption in the department.

The Nangarhar governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, said the parliamentarians met Governor Gulab Mangal and shared the purpose of their trip.

Mangal assured the delegation of taking measures to eliminate corruption in the Torkham dry port and hoped all problems would be resolved gradually.

nh/ma