Spin Boldak Flooded with Pakistan-Used Cars
The Ministry of Interior has issued a new notice urging owners of right-hand drive vehicles to register their cars in the provinces and obtain licenses as soon as possible, while also advising them to avoid bringing such vehicles into Kabul in order to prevent traffic accidents.
Spin Boldak district’s Weish bazaar in Kandahar is one of the country’s largest markets for container-imported cars. Many Afghans purchase these vehicles because of their lower prices.
Shahid, a car mechanic in Spin Boldak, said: “Customers come here from all provinces, and there are auctions of vehicles held here every day.”
Sharafatuddin, a buyer, also said: “We can find the cars of our choice here, with prices ranging from 100,000 to 400,000 afghanis.”
Mohammad Ali, a car dealer in Spin Boldak, said: “We have electric, standard, and luxury vehicles here, with good quality.”
Every day, up to 60 container trucks of second-hand right-hand drive cars arrive in Spin Boldak from Pakistan. Officials at the district Chamber of Commerce and Investment say these cars are imported as “projects.”
Mohammad Shafiq Achakzai, head of Spin Boldak’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “Every day, up to sixty containers of cars are imported as project shipments, coming from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and other countries.”
Citizens across the country, including in the capital, say the growing number of container-imported or second-hand right-hand drive cars has led to traffic disorder and deadly road accidents.
Ali Sina, a Kabul resident, said: “Unfortunately, compared to legally documented cars, there are now more right-hand drive vehicles in the country, which is causing traffic accidents. This must be stopped or an alternative solution should be found.”
The Ministry of Interior’s notice also urged people to refrain from purchasing such vehicles, stressing that container-imported cars are one of the main causes of traffic accidents and that further restrictions will soon be imposed on their use.
