MAIMANA (SW) – Drivers of the auto-rickshaws held a protest demonstration in Maimana, Faryab province on Sunday against imposition of road permit fees.
Hundreds of protesters blocked the main road in Maimana city leading to closure of the provincial administrative compound, police headquarters and a number of other important government offices. They vowed to continue with the protest until the provincial governor addresses their concerns.
Fazal Ahmad and Shah Mohammad, two such protesters, said they are too poor to pay AFN 8000 tax demanded by the provincial administration. Naqibullah Fayeq, provincial governor, told the protesters, their issues would be resolved via negotiations.
Meanwhile, Hameedullah, a board member at the directorate of traffic, said the protesters are trying to evade taxes with such moves. He said the relevant office has directed the directorate of traffic to collect road tax from the auto-rickshaws, and the traffic police is determined to do so.
Based on the estimates, there are up to 4000 auto-rickshaws running on the roads in Faryab, but only up to 700 are paying road permit fee to the government.
ENDS
