Stopping Flour and Wheat Trucks at Customs Check Posts and Collecting Heavy Bribes Is Worst Form of Corruption: Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party

Quetta (Daily Qudrat) — In a provincial press release, the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP) has expressed serious concern over complaints of unjustifiably stopping vehicles transporting flour and wheat at various customs check posts, harassing them, and illegally collecting heavy amounts, and has demanded that the matter be investigated immediately, transparently, and impartially.

The party said that complaints of illegal collections from flour and wheat vehicles at Darakhshan, Ziarat Cross, Baleeli, Kuchlak, Yaro, and other relevant check posts are not only regrettable but also raise serious questions about the performance of administrative institutions. If money is being collected at any government check post in violation of the law and regulations, it falls directly under the category of misuse of authority and corruption.

The party said in its statement that the transportation of wheat and flour is already beset with various difficulties; in such a situation, unnecessarily stopping vehicles on the way and collecting extra amounts not only affects business activities but also leads to an increase in the prices of essential commodities, the direct burden of which falls on the common people.

The statement said that along with obstructions in the transportation of wheat and flour, even food items and household goods are not being spared; rather, at the Baleeli and Kuchlak check posts, even goods being taken by shopkeepers and households from Quetta are unloaded, due to which people are being subjected to unjust and illegal difficulties.

The party said that if the relevant authorities have been repeatedly informed in writing about these illegal activities and even then no effective action has been taken, then the situation is even more worrisome. Failure to address complaints in a timely manner not only creates difficulties for the affected businesspersons but also damages trust in public institutions.

The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party demanded from the relevant authorities that a high-level investigation be conducted into the matter of stopping flour and wheat vehicles at Darakhshan, Ziarat Cross, and other customs check posts, unloading food items, and illegal collections; that complaints and available evidence be reviewed; and that if the allegations are proven correct, strict action be taken against the responsible officials in accordance with the law.

The party further said that it is the duty of state institutions to protect those associated with trade and business from unnecessary obstacles and illegal collections, and to take effective measures to make basic essential commodities available to the people at reasonable prices.