ZARANJ - Taliban militants have established a ‘check-point’ on a key highway in southwestern Nimroz province charging taxes on goods carrying vehicles, sources said Saturday.
The rebels have been taking money what they call customs duty from vehicles carrying commercial goods on the Zaranj-Dilaram highway, confirmed Farida Hameedi, a lawmaker from Nimroz province.
She said the Taliban had established their ‘customs check-point’ on the ZaranjDiaram Road and charged vehicles customs levy.
“The Taliban take money from every vehicle. Yesterday the Taliban brought bricks and cements to construct bunkers for their individuals assigned at the location to collect taxes,” she said.
As a result, the lawmaker said, the transporters paid taxes to both the Taliban and the government; something that caused them losses and goods were sold at an increased price.
She said the Ministry of Defense (MoD) had been informed about the issue, but no action so far.
GhulamSedique, a driver on the Zaranj-Dilaram Road, said the Taliban had hoisted their flags on the road and were taking taxes from heavy weight vehicles. The driver said the Taliban did not stop small and passenger vehicles.
He said the insurgents took 7,000 to 10,000 afghanis in tax from heavy load vehicles.
Nida Mohammad, Khasrud district’s administrative chief, confirmed Taliban’s customs check-point and added a clearing operation would be launched soon in the area.
A security official, who wished to go unnamed, said the Maiwand Military Corps had decided to launch a clearing operation in the area where the Taliban had established their check-point and station a military unity there.  (Pajhwok)