Business

Panjsher Governor Accused of Smuggling Lazuli

Published

7 years ago

March 14, 2017

(Last Updated On: October 24, 2022)

Ariananews receives documents that accuse the governor of Panjsher, Arif Sarwari of illegally smuggling lazuli stones from Badakhshan province.

Based on the documents, the governor of Panjsher in cooperation with the Mines department of the province announced the transition of lazuli stones legal.

Officials in Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said no contract on excavation of lazuli stones signed and no documents were distributed to transfer the precious stones; Insisting the security institutions should prevent the illegal excavation and detain the smugglers.

Ministry of Mines and Petroleum Zabiullah Sarwari said, “We demand the security department to prevent the illegal extraction of mines, and detain the individuals who are involved in digging, the law should also be practiced over the local officials if they are involved in the process.”

The second part of the document shows that governor of Panjshir is also accused of squandering millions of Afghanis over the incomes of the Emerald stones.

Panjshir provincial council members demanded serious investigation to be launched over the case.

Chief of the integrity Watch of Afghanistan (IWA) Sayed Ikram Afzali said, “Governor of Panjshir is accused, and the case should be reviewed significantly, in case the documents approve it, he needs to be dismissed from his position and introduced to justice and judicial departments.”

Meanwhile the Independence Directorate Local Governance officials said in case the accusations against the governor come true law will be implemented.

IDLG Spokeswoman Munira Yousufzada said, “If the accusation comes out true, law will be implemented, and no obstacles could prevent the law not to be practiced.”

Governor of Panjshir Arif Sarwari called the accusation baseless and insisted over the legalization of the mines.

He said, “I totally reject the accusation, and the document is full of haters, the mine issues continue up to 60 years in the country, and negotiations for legalization of the mines are underway.”

Both Panjshir representatives in the lower house and provincial council refused to give details or views over the issue, amid officials in Ministry of Interior Affairs claimed that no document is received over the issue yet.

Reported by : Fawad Nasiri

Business

Afghanistan, Pakistan agree on new travel mechanism for truckers

Published

4 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: May 12, 2024)

Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed on the issuance of a temporary admission document for transporters of commercial goods, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Aviation announced on Sunday.

The ministry said in an announcement that truck drivers and their assistants carrying commercial goods from Afghanistan and Pakistan must have this document with them at the crossings.

Based on the announcement, the document will be issued to Afghans at the Pakistani embassy in Kabul and its consulate in Kandahar.

For Pakistanis, the document is distributed at the office of the Afghanistan transport attaché in Peshawar and Quetta.

The Ministry of Transportation and Aviation asked owners and drivers of trucks to submit the required documents to their respective transportation companies by June 1.

The ministry warned that after June 1, trucks cannot travel between the two countries without having the temporary admission document.

Business

Pakistan: Consultations underway on preferential trade agreement with Afghanistan

Published

23 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: May 11, 2024)

Pakistani officials have announced that consultations are underway with stakeholders on preferential trade agreements with Afghanistan and Azerbaijan.

According to Dawn newspaper, the issue was announced on Friday in a meeting on trade chaired by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

In the meeting, the strict monitoring of Afghan Transit Trade was also emphasized.

Pakistani officials have not provided further details on preferential trade with Afghanistan and Azerbaijan.

Business

Talks with neighboring countries underway for fresh fruit exports: Azizi

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2024

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: May 10, 2024)

Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi has said that talks with neighboring countries have started for the export of fresh fruit this year.

Azizi added that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce wants the country’s fresh fruit to be exported to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iran in addition to Pakistan.

Members of the private sector call on the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to step up efforts to find new markets for Afghan exporters.

“We ask the authorities to determine the export routes before the harvesting season. We should find new markets instead of Pakistan. There is capacity for Afghanistan’s exports in the region, and action should be taken in this regard,” said Mirwais Hajizada, the deputy of Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock.

Economic experts say that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce should hold talks with Iran and Uzbekistan in addition to Pakistan for Afghanistan’s exports.

“There are many opportunities to sell our products in markets other than Pakistan. I hope the authorities will think about this. Grounds should be paved to access the markets of South Asia and the Gulf countries through Iran, and the markets of Central Asia through Uzbekistan,” said Mohammad Nabi Afghan, an economic expert.

Members of the private sector say that although Pakistan is the closest and largest market for Afghanistan’s dry and fresh fruits, doing business with it has always been challenging.