Illegal distribution of passports: 75 commission agents held

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Passport Department announced on Monday the arrest of a group of commission agents (middlemen).

Some time back, a passport could be obtained illegally in return for $1600 and an electronic identity card for 10,000 afghanis.

Acting Director of Passport Alam Gul Haqqani announced the arrest of the middlemen and dozens of other commission agents.

On November 15, Pajhwok Afghan News released a report that the price of one passport had reached $1600 in the black market.

Addressing a press conference in Kabul, Haqqani said since the beginning of the passport distribution process, more than 75 middlemen had been arrested.

“A group of commission agents issuing fake passports and identity cards to people were arrested two days ago,” Haqqani added.

“We are following the middlemen and steps are being taken to arrest them,”
Haqqani said, promising to continue the campaign.

sa/mud