Corruption at Herat customs office all time high

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Some political and civil society activists have warned against growing corruption in the customs office of western Herat province and demand the authorities take steps to curb the menace.

They claim corrupt elements on a daily basis embezzled customs revenue and spent it on their entertainment in Dubai, Turkey and Iran.

SayedMasoudSadaat, deputy head of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Crude Oil and Gas Committee, said that tens of trucks evaded customs duty as well as the trend of extortion was underway in the customs office.

He claimed corruption and corrupt practices took place daily in the Customs Department something known to the government which should disclose such incidents to the masses.

“Throughout the history, one bottle of Monster energy drink or any other energy drinks which are imported are not charged with duty, similarly some other expensive foreign goods coming to the country are not charged in the Islam Qala Port.”

Naeem Ghoiur, a political affairs activist, said corruption was deep rooted in Afghanistan and the people were paying a heavy price for it.

He said few months earlier he worked in the detective police branch and realised that mafia groups spent government income on their luxurious parties.

Bashir Ahmad Rashidi, head of the Afghanistan Saffron Growers, said the price of saffron declined by 50 percent this year compared to the previous year.

He said this happened due to illegal import of saffron from Iran and alleged that government security agencies’ negligence led to illegal import of saffron.

Umar Momand, deputy head of customs affairs of the Ministry of Finance, acknowledged corruption in customs offices and added other departments that had nothing to do with customs were involved in this corruption.

He talked about some reforms in the country’s customs offices and said in the past five months, the government revenue increased by 27 percent compared to the revenue collected in the corresponding period last year.

Last year, he said 22.4 billion afs were collected in the first five months, while 25.5 percent revenue was collected in the first five months of this year.

Governor Sayed Abdul WaheedQatali also said that reforms were being implemented in customs department which will improve the situation and ensure transparency.

nh/ma