Massive corruption reported in Paktia custom dept

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): A number provincial council members in southeastern Paktika province on Sunday alleged employees of custom office of massive corruption and demanded an immediate action against those involved in graft.

But officials said increase in the revenue by the custom department was a proof of transparency.

Mohammad Rahman Qadari, provincial council secretary, said majority of the trucks were allowed to go without legal and custom process. The trucks, he said were allowed without paying custom duty at the custom office because the officials were getting hefty bribes.

Qadari pledged a committee would be formed to investigate the alleged corruption cases of the custom department.

Taj Mohammad, another provincial council member, expressed concerns over what he alleged rampant graft cases in the custom department.

He said officials used tricks to prevent certain trucks from tax payment at the custom office. Some trucks were allowed without tax payment during the night with the connivance of custom officials.

He said thousands of afghanis went to the pockets of officials on daily basis. Some journalist of Paktika press club had visited the custom office.

They found that tax revenue of seven to 10 tonnes of goods had been received but the money went to pocket of the officials.

Shaista Jan Ahadi, former head of the provincial council, confirmed widespread corruption in the local custom department.

But Director Custom Saddiqui Ahmadkhel rejected graft allegations and said: “After my appointment at the custom office, the level of corruption has declined manifold while great surge noticed in the revenue generation.”

nh/rm

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