Helmand Marble Smuggling to Pakistan Despite Trade Routes Closed

Kabul Times News – Helmand: A number of local sources in Helmand province say that despite the trade routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan being closed, marble extracted from mines in Khan Neshin district of the province is being transported to Pakistan through Bahramcha district.

Suleiman, a marble mine worker in Khan Neshin district who has previously served in the Afghan National Army, says that the activities of these mines provide employment for nearly 100 people and the workers use the income to cover their families’ living expenses.

Expressing concern over the transportation of Helmand marble abroad at low prices, he says that continuing to sell these natural resources raw is not of much economic benefit to the people and the country.

According to Suleiman, instead of exporting raw marble, stone processing and cutting factories should be established within the country to keep the added value of these resources in Afghanistan and provide more employment opportunities for the people.

Local sources also say that the informal transportation of marble through the Bahramcha route continues; an issue that requires further investigation and attention from the relevant authorities.