HERAT CITY (SW) – A number of transporters traveling to Iran via the Islam Qala – Herat highway say that no drivers in Iranian parking lots across the border feel safe.
One of the drivers, Arash told Salam Watandar that extortion and lack of security in parking lots near the border on Iranian soil has led to frustrations. He added that their vehicles were being stolen in the parking lots and in broad daylight the thieves were extorting money from the drivers by force.
The drivers are urging Afghan and Iranian officials to monitor parking lots near the border on Iranian soil.
The Iranian consulate in Herat and the Islamic Emirate’s foreign relations officials say they are responding to complaints from drivers and misconduct by Iranian police.
Sher Ahmad Ammar Mohajer, head of Herat’s foreign relations office, said any driver with a problem should share it with their commissioner and they would take action.
Iran’s Consul General Mohammad Sediqi also said that drivers have a role to play in trade between the two countries and that if drivers were mistreated, they would investigate.
Complaints have already been raised about extortionists and Iranian mistreatment of drivers in the Herat-Islamkala border area.
Although the authorities at that time insisted on resolving these issues, they did not have any positive results. It remains to be seen whether the problems of these drivers will be solved with the advent of the Islamic Emirate.
ENDS
