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IEA bans import of low-quality oil
Herat customs officials at Islam Qala border say that they have stopped dozens of tankers carrying low-quality oil in the past few months, adding that the import of low-quality oil has been completely banned.
According to Islam Qala officials, tankers carrying petroleum products are tested daily for quality at this border crossing and only then are the vehicles allowed to enter the country.
The Herat Police Command's Serious Crimes Department emphasized that serious action will be taken against those who continue to import fuel and low-quality food.
The oil that is being imported to the country from Iran is checked by the Standards Department and is fully tested by the facilities and devices we have; therefore, if the test result is negative, tankers will not be allowed to enter, said Shafiqullah Samim, deputy of Herat’s Islam Qala Customs.
“Last week, 80 oil tankers entered the market, but we will not allow them to enter the market until the center gives permission.”
However, Herat Police Command's serious crime management unit has recently taken the issue of low-quality oil imports seriously, and in the past few months, more than ten tankers carrying low-quality oil have been refused entry.
“We have general supervision over all economic resources such as ports, customs and airports, and we pursue bribery, embezzlement, and abuse cases, and after careful evaluation, we forward the files of the offenders to the justice and judicial centers,” said Qari Abdulbasit Saeed, an employee of Herat’s serious crime management unit.
On the other hand, some residents of Herat have welcomed this decision of the local officials of this province, saying that the goal of improving the environment and preventing air pollution is needed to prevent the import of low-quality oil.
“Low-quality oils are introduced into the country's markets, which unfortunately destroys the environment and harms motor vehicles and motorcycles,” said Aziziullah Seddiqi, a Herat resident.
Previously, Herat Police Command's serious crime management unit identified and seized hundreds of tons of low-quality oil inside the city, and also blocked the gate of an oil refinery.
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IEA flatly rejects UN report on poppy cultivation increase in Afghanistan
The Ministry of Interior’s spokesman Abdul Matin Qane said on Wednesday the Islamic Emirate “completely” rejects the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report that poppy cultivation has increased by 19 percent this year, against 2023.
UNODC released its report on Wednesday, claiming opium cultivation rose by 19 percent despite a ban by the Islamic Emirate that almost eradicated the crop.
The 19 percent increase (12,800 hectares of poppies) year-on-year remains far below the 232,000 hectares cultivated when the IEA’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada banned the crop in April 2022.
Qane said in a statement the report is far from the truth.
"Since narcotics are a destructive phenomenon and forbidden from the perspective of the religion of Islam, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan based on the order of the leadership of the Emirate, has put the fight against this phenomenon as a priority.”
For years Afghanistan was the world's biggest supplier of opium and heroin.
Many farmers in Afghanistan were hit hard financially by the ban and have not been able to reap the same profits from alternative crops.
The Islamic Emirate has however repeatedly called for international support for farmers to transition to alternative crops and livelihoods.
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IEA hopes Trump govt will usher in new chapter between Kabul and Washington
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said late Wednesday in a statement that in the light of a balanced foreign policy, the ministry hopes that the future American government under newly elected president Donald Trump will take realistic steps to achieve its goals so that significant progress can be made in relations between Kabul and Washington.
Balkhi said it is hoped that both countries can open a new chapter of relations in light of mutual interaction.
He added that the Doha agreement between the Islamic Emirate and the United States was signed during the presidency of Donald Trump, and after that, the 20-year occupation ended in Afghanistan.
He stated IEA hopes that Trump may play a constructive role in ending the current war in the region and the world, especially in Gaza and Lebanon.
Donald Trump on Wednesday won the presidential election in the US after beating Kamala Harris.
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DABS owed 12 billion AFN by former government officials
At present, 950 megawatts of electricity is consumed annually in the country, of which just over 300 megawatts is produced domestically and the balance is imported from neighboring countries.
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the country’s power utility company, said Wednesday that ex-officials of the former government and state institutions owe 12 billion afghanis (AFN) in unpaid electricity debt.
The head of DABS has warned the ex-officials that if they do not pay the electricity consumption fee, their houses and assets will be seized.
Last year, DABS announced that it had collected $681 million dollars in debt from former officials and commercial and industrial companies.
Head of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), Abdul Bari Omar, said Tuesday that the utility company pays for their imported power on the 27th and 28th of every month.
According to Omar, the company is up-to-date on its payments.
Last year, DABS's spokesperson said the company had settled debt totaling $627 million that had been carried over from the former government.
This money was paid to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Iran.
Omar stated that in the last three months, energy production projects worth $400 million have been put into operation and other projects are on the agenda.
According to him, these projects include wind, gas, coal and solar energy initiatives.
On the Kajaki dam in Helmand, he said the dam will be able to produce 150 megawatts of electricity within the next year.
While efforts are being made to increase electricity production, Afghans continue to struggle with little or no power.
At present, 950 megawatts of electricity is consumed annually in the country, of which just over 300 megawatts is produced domestically and the balance is imported from neighboring countries.
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