Afghan identity cards have been distributed to tribes living across the Durand Line.
The Durand Line, the boundary drawn at the end of the 19th century that divided Pashtun tribal lands, is not recognised as the official border with Pakistan. The Afghan Ministry of Border and Tribal Affairs has not only issued identity cards to some tribes people in seven agencies across the Durand Line, but also provided special privileges.
However, Parliament and government ministries like the Ministry of Interior Affairs were not informed.
Mawalwi Rezwanullah Niazai, head of jirgas (assemblies) in the ministry, would only say that identity cards were given to those who asked. Neither would he reveal how much money was spent on the exercise, insisting that it was a “confidential” matter.
According to him, the representatives of seven tribal agencies sat with ministry officials, and the cards were issued after verification. “We give cards to tribes; this is their right. Tribes living across the line are also Afghans and should enjoy the rights of other Afghans,” he says. For instance, they have the right to study in Afghanistan, work in both the government and non-governmental sectors, Niazai explains.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs permits only Afghans with an Afghan tazkira (national identity card), passport and visa to enter the country.
There has been no discussion in Parliament on the issuing of identity cards. Saleh Mohammad Saleh, deputy in the parliamentary internal security committee, has no knowledge of the practice. He feels the government should first provide facilities to Afghans living in Afghanistan and then pay attention to the tribes living across the border. The cards have been found on dead anti-government fighters – a growing concern, and according to Saleh, Parliament will be seeking clarifications from the Ministry of Border and Tribal Affairs. There are allegations of corruption against the ministry.
Professor Habibullah Rafea, a political analyst, considers it well within the right of tribes across the border to claim benefits and privileges given to citizens by the government providing there is equality and transparency. The professor reiterates that the tribal area on both sides of the Durand Line does not belong exclusively to Afghanistan or Pakistan, and the people can claim privileges from both sides. “Governments in the past have cooperated in this regard and the present government should give privileges. However, if this is not monitored, there could be more damage than benefit,” says Prof Niazai.
Dual standards
The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Industries claims tax concessions to tribes have exposed the double-standards of the government. Sayamudin Psarlai, spokesperson of the Chamber of Commerce & Industries, fears the government has prepared the way for “big corruption”. He says, “Many Pakistani lorry drivers transport goods under tribes (individual tribesmen) and save taxes. For Afghan drivers, this is an unjust and dual policy,” he says. He estimates the number of trucks involved in transporting goods to and from Afghanistan could be in the thousands.
Musafer Quqandi, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, too is unaware about the privileges granted to trucks that are owned by tribals. He is categorical that the practice is illegal and should be stopped. “The law should be implemented equally, and if someone gets more privileges it is contrary to the law,” he says.
The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has informed all ports that trucks and containers entering the country should be off loaded at the border crossings, and sent onwards in Afghan trucks. “No Pakistan-registered vehicle can enter even if it is the property of Afghans or tribal,” says spokesperson Hekmatullah Oqwanch.
