Taliban ask Baghlan traders to pay them taxes

AVA- He told the lower house the militants earlier collected Zakat and Ushr from residents of areas under their control. “Now in Baghlan-i-Markazi district, the Taliban have sent letters to businessmen to pay them taxes.”
A few days back, he alleged, the Taliban set a 20-day deadline for petrol traders and owners of fuel tankers to pay taxes on their businesses; otherwise their vehicles would be torched.
Sami showed legislators tax collection documents the Taliban have sent to traders, saying the situation had sparked concerns in Baghlan. He alleged the government had paid no attention to resolving the problem.
Sami, who represents the people of Baghlan in the lower house, said: “The traders have referred the issue to the governor, asking him to control the situation.”
According to the lawmaker, this behavior would disappoint investors, who might leave the country.
Governor Abdul Hayee Niamati said he had asked the traders not to pay taxes to the Taliban. The governor added he had ordered police to ensure the security of oil tankers.
Niamati acknowledged the Taliban had demanded 25,000 to 30,000 afghanis in tax from each tanker owner. Niamati denied telling traders to sort out the issue with the Taliban.
He said police were ready to cooperate with the business community and they should not pay the insurgents. The Taliban have not yet commented on the allegations.