KABUL (SW): Mohammad Naeem Lalai, a member of the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) told the house on Monday former government officials collaborated with ‘petroleum mafia’ to embezzle millions of dollars.
Lalai led a house committee to probe the affairs at the Hairatan port in Balkh province and Aqina port in Faryab province. The MP said their study suggests these ports have been marred with corruption more than in the defunct Kabul Bank.
Briefing the house about the findings, Lalai said millions of afghanis (afn) have been embezzled in shipping petroleum products from neighbouring Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan provinces. He mentioned that since the fuel supply for NATO forces is exempted from many taxes, importers have used this excuse to falsely import fuel for sale in the market in NATO’s name and have evaded taxes worth millions afn.
Alleging Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, speaker of the house for interfering in investigations, Lalai also charged Ibrahimi for collaborating with those involved in the scam. He went on to say that the former officials used fake names and firms to import 90 percent more fuel than what was required.
Without naming the alleged officials, the MP said no tax or duty has been paid on these imports. The MP said he would provide the documented proof to the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and judicial organs for justice
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