Kabul Traffic Management Officer Sayed Mahboob Sadat on Saturday raised concerns over the number of Parliament and Meshrano Jirga Members who travel in vehicles that are imported without clearing customs, that have false number plates and windows that are tinted illegally. 

He said that some of them have illegal registration plates and put up illegal signs stating the vehicle belongs to an MP or Senator. 

“The plate numbers that they currently use are not issued by the traffic department and you can ask them where they got those plates,” he said.

Security sources meanwhile said a number of criminals also use vehicles that are not formally registered and often use these vehicles to carry out crimes. 

For instance, a report was recently released that security forces stopped an MP’s vehicle that was allegedly used in a kidnapping. 

“You should ask your representatives (MPs) that based on which law they have created personal plate numbers. Ask the security forces to investigate and find the MP who was involved in the kidnapping,” said Ramazan Bashardost, an MP.

Using false registration plates in the name of the Wolesi Jirga or Meshrano Jirga has at times paved the way for criminals to get through checkpoints without being stopped, officials said. 

“The relevant department should pay attention to this issue and implement the law on everyone,” said Mohammad Naeem Nazari, a civil society activist.

Reports have also indicated in the past that MPs and Senators at times refuse to be checked by security forces at checkpoints and their guards and drivers have, on occasion, been known to get involved in altercations with police.