Illegal Taxes Charged On Paktia Roads Damage Local Economy : report in ToloNews

Patika: The local business community and Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) have raised concerns over the growing trend of extortion along Paktia highways, which is a key trade corridor to Pakistan.
They have called on government to take steps to curb the trend, which they say is harming the economy in the border province.
Businessmen have said that the local government in Paktia has so far ignored the problem.
According to them, unidentified individuals prey on businessmen along the roads and demand money.
Meanwhile, provincial governor Zalmai Weesa said local government has so far not received any such complaints.
“If the reports about taking money from the people (are true) it indicates that there is some sort of corruption underway and it needs to be stopped,” said Weesa on Friday.
“Our problems have increased, because we have to pay money whenever they ask for it, otherwise we are beaten up,” said a local businessman, Ahmad Gul.
In addition, ACCI officials have called on government to launch an investigation into the issue and curb the trend that threatens economic development.
According to the ACCI, extortions on the highways has led to substantial price hikes of goods in the province.
“Tax payment is quite aggressive, we want the government to draft new procedures for the collection of money so that the money is paid to the treasury, we are prepared to pay the money, but the money shouldn’t be transferred to personal accounts,” said ACCI chairman Nasir Alimyar.
Paktia shares a border with Pakistan and is one of the major trade routes between the two countries. Hundreds of trucks cross through here every day. http://www.tolonews.com/business/illegal-taxes-charged-paktia-roads-damage-local-economy++