4 detained on corruption charges at Torkham dry port

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Four people have been arrested at the Torkham port in eastern Nangarhar province on corruption charges, an official said on Thursday.

Attaullah Khogyani, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News crime investigative officials from the Ministry of Interior (MoI) arrested the individuals on graft charges at the dry port.

However, he did not provide details, saying the MoI was authorised to release more information in this regard.

Meanwhile, local public representative said the arrested individuals provided corruption opportunities for the Torkham commissar.

Dr. Lal Mohammad Durrani, deputy head of the provincial council, said Commander Safiullah Kochi and the commissar’s brother-in-law paved the ground for corruption.

He added whenever an investigative team came to Torkham, the two people tried to strike a deal with them. When the investigators refused to cooperate, the men violently responded and even fired at them.

He said a team of the Provincial Council was attacked earlier this month and yesterday they misbehaved with an MoI delegation.

After their misconduct, the MoI team sought help from the Quick Response Force. Security officials later arrested them along with two security personnel Ihsanullah and Roohullah, according to Durrani.

Ashabuddin Wali Muslim, a member of the provincial council, also acknowledged the MoI team had arrested four people at the Torkham port who created corruption opportunities for the commissar.

Police spokesman Hazrat Hussain Mashriqiwal said he was unaware about the detentions at the police headquarters cell but acknowledged the MoI personnel had arrest four people on corruption charges.

Torkham Commissar Qaseem Shinwari and border police commander in the eastern zone could not be reached for comments.

nh/mud