Senate demands probe into ventilators’ smuggling

KABUL.”

The lawmakers said those who involved in the smuggling should be punished severely.

According to a Pajhwok Afghan News report, 32 ventilators donated to Afghanistan have been smuggled to Pakistan, while coronavirus patients are dying due to lack of oxygen in hospitals.

The Pajhwok report went viral on social media and today’s Meshrano Jirga session discussed it as well.

Abdul Wahaf Erfan, a member of the Senate, told today’s session said all documents should be collected and those involved in the smuggling should be identified and punished.

He said a number people had died in the country due to lack of ventilators and that those involved in the smuggling were the killers of Afghans who died of the virus due to lack of oxygen.

Mohammad Alem Izadyar, first deputy chairman, said the smuggling of ventilators should be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Other members of the upper house held similar views and wanted serious probe.

Fazal Hadi Muslimyar, senator chairman, said Pajhwok Afghan News was a reliable agency and it certainly published the report based on document and evidences.

He asked the National Directorate of Security (NDS) to probe the issue along with Pajhwok.

Muslimyar also urged the President to seriously pursue the ventilators smuggling issue.

Muslimyar stressed the need for probing the issue transparently and impartially and those involved should be identified and punished.

Dr. Shafiqullah Shaheem, deputy financial and administrative minister of public health, in a press conference rejected the smuggling of ventilators and said the ministry would probe the issue.

Sa/ma

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