KABUL - The former chief of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and a number of lawmakers have accused the government of secretly issuing hundreds of passports to Taliban insurgents' family members and commanders.
The former NDS Chief, Amrullah Saleh, wrote on his facebook page that Afghanistan's consulate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued the passports after being pressurized by Kabul to do so.
He said passports are issued to family members of Taliban members, who are currently engaged in a war against government.
He said scores of passports have been issued to the Taliban commanders without them being present in Dubai. He alleged that issuing the passports was part of a secret deal.
The International Affairs Committee of the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) also confirmed the move.
"Issuing passports to the Taliban commanders is a matter of concern. This move by government is giving privileges to the Taliban and will lead to further lobbying for the group," said Nahid Farid, a member of the committee.
Meanwhile, a number of political analysts said that in addition to Dubai, a number of Taliban commanders had previously received passports in Qatar.
"Taliban commanders have been getting passports this way for years, however, it triggered outrage only when the passports were computerized," said Jawed Kohistani, a political analyst.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) rejected the allegations as baseless.
Ahmad Shekib Mustaghni, spokesman for the MoFA, declined to comment on the allegations, but said that claims of the distribution of passports to Taliban commanders in the UAE does not hold any weight.
"The allegations of the distribution of passports to commanders of the Taliban are baseless, because based on laws and rules of passport distribution, no one can receive a passport without being present," he added.
Experts deem the issuing of passports to the Taliban in Gulf States as dangerous, because this will enable the Taliban to roam freely in these countries and easily fund raise for the group. (Tolonews)