Pakistanis smuggling Helmand marbles

LASHKARGAH (PAN): Carpentry and marble factory officials on Tuesday alleged that marbles were being smuggled from southern Helmand province and mines there destroyed by Pakistanis.

The Pakistanis had long been smuggling marble and damaging the mines through explosions and airstrikes in Deshu district, Rokham Marble Factory head Mohammad Lal Kargar told Pajhwok Afghan News.

They had informed the authorities concern of the unlawful practice and urged them to monitor mines near the Pakistan border to prevent smuggling, he said.

A worker of the factory, Obaidullah, 85 people were working in the plant that was previously operated by government. But some years ago, the factory was made a semi-government entity.

After being informed, they had regularly been patrolling the area, said the border police commander, Gen. Sultan Mahmud. But when policemen reach the areas, mine-diggers flee back to Pakistan