US slaps sanctions on Taliban financing network

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): A Pakistan.

Haji Basir and Zarjmil Company (Basir Zarjmil Hawala), and its owner Haji Abdul Basir, were designated for providing financial services or other support to the Afghan Taliban. Commander Qari Rahmat was designated for acting for or on behalf of the Taliban, the Treasury Department announced.

“The Taliban continue to conduct terrorist attacks against US forces and innocent civilians, posing a direct threat to US national security interests,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen.

Designating and isolating individuals who were directly involved in financing and supporting Taliban attacks remained a key Treasury Department objective, he said, adding they would continue to deprive terrorists of funds.

The Basir Zarjmil Hawala, based in Chaman, allegedly distributed money to Taliban members in Afghanistan. Senior militants in Quetta and Chaman have preferred to transfer money to Taliban commanders through the Basir Zarjmil Hawala and the Haji Khairullah Haji Sattar Hawala.

In 2013, the Basir Zarjmil Hawala distributed thousands of dollars to Taliban commanders in Chaman, and in 2012 it conducted huge transactions related to weapons and other operational expenses for the insurgents.  The Basir Zarjmil Hawala has also made use of Pakistani banks.

“Haji Abdul Basir owns and operates the Basir Zarjmil Hawala. He had authority to distribute money to the Taliban and, over the last several years, Basir distributed thousands of dollars through his hawala to Taliban members in Chaman and Kandahar,” the Treasury said.

As of 2012, Basir was considered to be the principal money exchanger for Taliban leadership in Pakistan. In 2010, he solicited donations for the Taliban from Pakistani and Afghan expatriates in Asia and the Middle East.

Qari Rahmat has been a Taliban commander since February 2010.  In early 2013, he served as a Taliban commander in the Shadaal Bazaar area of Achin district in Nangarhar province.

Rahmat directed the activities of approximately 300 Taliban operatives in Achin and provided operational guidance and weapons to them. He recently led an attack on Afghan forces in Kot district of Nangarhar, the Treasury added.

Rahmat also collects taxes and bribes on behalf of the Taliban. As of early 2013, he collected taxes from Shadaal Bazaar -based drug traffickers. He also provided lethal aid, housing and guidance to fighters. 

mud

Visits: 5