[TOLONEWS] The Afghan Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Wednesday announced that it will slap fines on unregistered NATO...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A cautionary tale of cost-benefit analysis....
supply trucks that enter Afghanistan.
The MoF raised its concerns over the issue of unregistered NATO supply trucks and said that it will adversely affect the revenues of the government.
In reaction to the step taken by the Afghan government, the US Senators called the decision "ridiculous" and said that Washington will impose a five dollar cut on the US aid to Afghanistan against each dollar of fine imposed by the MoF.
According to MoF, over the past five years, several NATO trucks have entered Afghanistan illegally, without undergoing proper registration process. The MoF said that it is high time this illegal activity should be ended. It is being reportedly said that the Afghan government's income have declined by 30 percent this year as compared to the previous year, and the government's plan for imposing fine on NATO trucks is aimed to boost up incomes.
On the basis of the decision of the Council of Ministers (CM), the MoF has decided to impose fines on at least 70,000 NATO supplying trucks which have entered Afghanistan without valid registration. The MoF has said that it has given the NATO officials 21 days to settle the issue with the Afghan government. After the deadline the NATO has to pay $1000 as fine for each truck.
"We have not slapped taxes on the foreign forces' containers; they should fill (T1) form for entering Afghanistan. Foreigners are obliged to respect the laws of Afghanistan," said Gul Maqsood Sabet, Deputy Minister of Finance for Revenue and Customs.
Additionally, a number of US senators warned that if the MoF imposed fines on the US equipments, then, they will delay or even go to the extent of denying the $5 billion financial assistance bill to Afghanistan.
In the meantime, the ISAF officials announced that negotiations with the Afghan government are underway to find a solution for the issue.
"We are experiencing challenges with our equipments at the southern Afghan border crossing point. These issues are centered on the interpretation of Afghan customs processes. ISAF leadership is working with the Afghan government officials and we are confident that the situation will be resolved shortly," said Brigadier General Heinz Feldmann, front man for the ISAF.
Several members of the Parliament's Economic Commission also said that such issues are against the nation's interest.
Evaluating the impacts of such tensions, politician, Habiba Danish said, "The Afghan government should refrain from creating such issues. This will badly affect the Afghan economy," said MP Habiba Danish.
The MoF justified its decision by saying that if any NATO truck enters Afghanistan without proper registration, it will affect the earnings of the government, which in turn, will harm the economy of the country.