Millions of dollars smuggled from Afghanistan

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AT-KABUL: Foreign currency especially the US dollar is smuggled from the country through five border points, the Central Bank claims.

The Central Bank governor, told lawmakers on Monday that smuggling of currency is one of the reasons that Afghani loses value in the international markets.

“Dollar is smuggled via Islam Qala and Hairatan border points as well as through Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif airports, Nimroz and Farah borders to abroad. There are about 100 taxies commuting between Herat and Mashhad every day. Some money smugglers who have visa, travel on daily bases with briefcases full of dollar smuggling to other side of the border,” said Khalil Seddiq.

He said that the smugglers are not checked by the border police.

The value of Afghani has unprecedentedly fallen against foreign currencies especially the US dollar.

The lawmakers accused the Central Bank of inattention in this regard, but Seddiq said that lack of product in the country and increasing imports were the other elements of Afghani falling.

The members of parliament were not satisfied of Seddiq’s answers, saying that the burning process of old banknotes were not transparent.

“Half of the banknotes that you burn remain unburned and your representative brings them back to the bank reservoir. Why are you afraid of saying the truth to the people?” said lawmaker Samiollah Samim.

The central bank governor rejected the claims, asking the lawmakers to visit the process from near.