ARAH - Customs director for western Farah province on Thursday alleged a visiting Wolesi Jirga delegation had allowed 25 cargo trucks to cross into Afghanistan from Iran without paying taxes.
Ajer Khan Zaheer, the customs director, told reporters here that the lower house delegation, led by Samiullah Samim, traveled to Farah province to evaluate the provincial customs offices.
He said the delegation arbitrarily permitted 25 cargo trucks of Afghan traders from Abu Nasr Farahi port on the Iranian border into Afghanistan without paying tax. However, Zaheer did not say much tax was to be paid.
He said customs officials tried to prevent the trucks from fleeing, but failed and Samim allowed them to promote his influence among traders and attract support in the next Wolesi Jirga elections.
However, Samim rejected the claims and said he did not lead the delegation sent to Farah, but Qudratullah Zaki from Takhar province led the delegation.
He denied the delegation had permitted any truck without paying customs duty and they only stopped eight fuel tanks importing low quality fuel.
Qudratullah Zaki also rejected the claims of the custom director and said he did not support illegal passage of trucks. (Pajhwok)