Both Taliban, police extorting us: Kunduz businessmen

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Sher Khan Port Businessmen Union members on Sunday accused both Taliban and police of extortion and creating problems for them.

Syed MujtabaHashami, head of the union, told Pajhwok Afghan News that business activities at the Sher Khan Port had reduced due to extortion of businessmen.

“Police stationed at the port and the Taliban on the way illegally extort thousands of afghanis from businessmen and this has badly affected business activities and discouraged businessmen,” he said.

In the past, over 1,000 tonnes of steel, cement and other materials would arrive at the port, but now everything has come to a halt.

The trader said in the past the Taliban would charge 600 afghanis per truck, but now they had the amount it to 10,000 afghanis. “This situation created many issues for us,” he said.

Drivers also complained about extortion on roads. Niamatullah, who drives truck on Kunduz-Sher Khan Port, said most of the time the Taliban stopped trucks in Alchin Bridge area and distributed tax notes to truckers.

“The Taliban have established check-point and charge trucks from 50,000 to 10,000. We carry transit goods and nobody has the right to charge our trucks.”

Pajhwok has obtained the Taliban tariff slip. On the letterhead is written ‘the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, the Economic and Financial Affairs Commission.

In addition, the slip maintains the amount of money, the type of goods, the truck transport and Whatsapp and telegram contract numbers at the end. It asks truckers contact these numbers in need of any help.

Police Chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Rashid Bashir told Pajhwok Afghan News that they had not yet received any information regarding Taliban’s extorting truck drivers on the road.

“We will investigate the issue and hold a meeting with businessmen to find a resolution,” he said.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Pajhwok Afghan News that they would investigate the issue and share information later.

Nh/ma

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