Nangarhar customs director fired: Source

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): A reliable source in eastern Nangarhar province on Monday said provincial customs department director Hashmatullah Alizai has been fired due to corruption and declining revenue under him.

According to reports, the customs revenue has fallen by 40 percent and traders have also been complaining about increased corruption.

A reliable source told Pajhwok Afghan News on condition of anonymity that the province's director of customs had been fired.

The source added that Nangarhar Governor Ziaul Haq Amarkhel had met acting Finance Minister Mohammad Khalid Payenda and had lodged complaints with him about the Nangarhar customs department.

According to a source, the customs revenue of Nangarhar has dropped by 40 percent and it was the reason the director of customs was fired by the Finance Ministry on Monday.

HashmatullahAlizai was recently arrested by the Interior Ministry's Serious Crimes Police on corruption charges but was released and resumed his duty.

Alizai did not respond to a request for comment.

Bk/ma