Driving licence costs 7,000afs in Logar

PUL-I-ALAM (PAN): With the traffic department unwilling to issue legal driving licences, middlemen sell the documents for 7,000 afghanis in the black market in central Logar province, residents complain.

They say getting a licence from the department takes months and 500 afs in fee, while touts linked to the officials concerned sell the same for 7,000 afs each in the black market.

Saifullah, a driver in Kolangar area of Pul-i-Alam, said he had visited the traffic department many times to obtain a licence, but in vain. The officials came up with a variety of excuses, he said.

“Traffic officials say they lack forms, please come next month. When you visit after a month, they will make new excuses.” Saifullah said he would not have wandered around the department if he knew a licence could be obtained in the black market.

Another resident, Najibullah, said he had been able to get a driver’s license after experiencing many problems for two months. He asked the government to take action against corrupt officials and simplify the process.

The traffic department fines the driver without a licence. Nowadays many drivers could be seen visiting the department to obtain licences, but most find themselves in trouble and are kept waiting for months. 

A Mohammad Agha district resident, Mohammad Naeem, said it was hard to obtain a licence in months, but it could be purchased for 7,000afs.  He obtained it within two days after giving his photos, a copy of identity card, a medical test copy and 7,000afs to a tout, he claimed.  

Logar Traffic Police Department head Maj. Abdul Rahman Ghafoori acknowledged the problem, saying they had received many complaints in this regard. He said efforts had been initiated to bring reforms and get involved the police chief in the process.

mm/ma

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