Cargo scanner at Islam Qala port inactive since 3 years

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Pajhwok Afghan News findings show the cargo scanner at Islam Qala port has been inactive for unknown reasons since last three years.

Wakil Ahmad Karukhi, a former member of Herat Provincial Council, told Pajhwok Afghan News that a large part of the customs revenue of Islam Qalawas was embezzled due to the inactivity of the scanner.

He said the cargo scanner was purchased at a high cost more than three years ago in the previous government, but it was not used due to the intervention of mafia and profiteers.

"The former Afghan Ministry of Finance installed this scanner at the Islam-Qala customs of Herat, but it was not used. Not using the scanner at Islam-Qala port itself is a question and former officials should respond about their failure to activate the scanner," he said.

He emphasized that the scanner should be activated as soon as possible, so that further revenue should not be embezzled.

Meanwhile, ZalmaiSaeedi, deputy head of Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines, told Pajhwok that former government officials had repeatedly promised to activate the scanner, but they did not take any practical steps on the regard.

"Customs provide a large part of the government's financial resources. Unfortunately, despite all the promises made by the previous government to activate the scanner, but it did nothing to do so. I think the scanner was intentionally left unfixed so the revenue of the government continued to be embezzled,” he added.

He called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to take action to activate the cargo scanner at Islam Qala port and prevent the loss of further revenue.

Herat Chamber of Commerce and Industries also emphasized on activation of the scanner at Islam Qala port.

YounasGhazizadeh, head of Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said that activation of the scanner would be an effective step to fight corruption and create a healthy competition among traders.

Whenever the customs scanner is activated, goods would be taxed based on their real quality which would also increase the government’s revenue, he said.

Herat customs officials declined to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, MulaviShir Ahmad Ammar, a local official and head of foreign relations in Herat province, said that the current government would make serious efforts to fight corruption at customs as well as reactivate the scanner.

He warned that the current government will not allow customs revenues to be embezzled and there was no place for corruption in the new administration.

mds/ma