Protest held against NATO supply firm

KABUL): Representatives of five logistics firms staged a protest in Kabul against a foreign company for failing to clear their payments. The protestors warned of halting the defaulter’s operations if their money was not paid.

More than 200 representatives and workers of the companies gathered in front of the Attorney General Office (AGO), chanting slogans against the foreign firm supplying foreign troops in Afghanistan.

The Supreme Company had been dithering on paying more than $22 million to the five Afghan firms that transferred its fuel from Uzbekistan and through Hairatan dry port to Balkh province, one official claimed.

Mansoor Jalal Logistics Company Director Mirwais Javed told Pajhwok Afghan News they had filed case with the AGO 18 months ago, but their plea was yet to be taken up by prosecutors.

“We have shown AGO documents in support of our claim, but the Supreme Company remains unwilling to pay us or appear in court, because the International Security Assistance Force supports it,” said Shafiqullah Zadran, the director of another firm.

The demonstrators also issued a resolution, asking the international community to end cruelty, and indifference toward Afghan entrepreneurs.

They also asked local companies to cut links with the defaulter and asked the NATO-led not to defend the Supreme Company.

The demonstrators warned if the AGO and Supreme Company did not respond positively within 72 hours, they would continue their protesters and halt the defaulting firm’s activities in all parts of Afghanistan.

myn/mud

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