JALALABAD (SW): The insurgents bagged at least $ 46 million dollars by smuggling marble stones from Khogyani district of Nangarhar province last year, the Afghanistan Anti-Corruption Network (AACN) said on Wednesday.
According to the AACN, more than 500 trucks loaded with the white marble leave the mines to neighboring country. Safiullah Popal, AACN member, addressing a presser in Kabul claimed the research shows on daily basis 22500 tons of white marble is transported illegally from Nangarhar to Pakistan which then finds way to the European markets.
Zabiullah Wardak, another AACN member, alleged some individuals have obtained license from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) with the help of former provincial governor which has enabled them to export up to 750000 tons of marble to neighboring country.
But, Salim Kunduzi, the former provincial governor, has denied these charges. He told Salam Watandar the MoPM had issued the license to the miners legally. He rejected any involvement with the illegal mining.
Salam Watandar contacted the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum for comments on the issue, but to no avail.
The AACN has also claimed that the parliamentarians, warlords, Taliban and Daesh militants are illegally exploiting rich mineral sites across Afghanistan.
ENDS
