KABUL - At a meeting with businessmen on Monday, CEO Abdullah Abdullah discussed the issue of crime in the country, particularly that targeting the business community.
He said that in recent days, several incidents had been reported in major cities across the country where businessmen and investors were affected.
At the meeting, a delegation of businessmen told Abdullah that the problem is having a severe impact on investment in the country.
In his address Abdullah said: "Over the last several weeks, our nation, our businessmen and their family members have faced threats or incidents."
This comes just days after money exchangers at Kabul International Market (Saray Shahzada) protested against the high crime rate in the country – which has forced some people to close their businesses.
However, a while back, government appointed a special commission to tackle the problem but to date no outcome has been achieved, said businessmen.
"Our first demand from government leaders is to put aside their disputes and focus on security. If they continue their dispute, they will not be able to provide us with sufficient security," said Haji Zeerak, spokesman for the Kabul International Market.
This comes amid growing concern among the business community over the sharp increase in crime, particularly that of kidnappings.
Two weeks ago, unknown armed men abducted two foreign professors who are employed by the American University of Afghanistan. They were kidnapped in Darul Aman road.
In addition dozens of Afghan businessmen and or their family members have been kidnapped in recent months – the latest being the son of a Kabul businessman who was abducted on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has directed Kabul police headquarters to prioritize its war against crime in the capital.
"We need to boost our capacity in order to combat criminal cases or prevent them," said Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the MoI.
Earlier this month, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said that in the past two months, 45 investors and businessmen had been either murdered, kidnapped or robbed around the country.
Most of the cases were recorded in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif and Kandahar.(Tolonews)