Private security companies in Afghanistan are involved in drug smuggling and human trafficking, the parliamentary homeland security committee said Sunday, calling for an end to the practices.
"There is still illegal activity being done by some security companies and their operations must be stopped. There are two [private] companies operating in security in Farah and Herat provinces and they must be disarmed," said Mohammad Naiam Lalai Hamidzai member of homeland security committee, adding that the company in Herat is named Aria.
Another member Shekaba Hashimi said: "In some situations, private security companies are involved in smuggling drugs and [trafficking] humans. And sometimes they are causing insecurity. These activities are really making me concerned."
Gen. Abdul Jamil Junbish, Deputy Minister of the Interior and head of the Afghanistan Public Protection Force, was summoned to parliament Sunday to answer questions on the matter.
Junbish said the process of shutting down private security companies is still ongoing until the APPF – the government's solution to replace private security – recruits and trains sufficient staff. Therefore, the government has permitted some private companies to continue.
He said that when the APPF began there were around 52 active private security companies. Of these, 20 have been disarmed and no longer operate, with many of the employees of the now working for the department of public protection.
The other 32 private security companies are only operating in monitoring sector and their responsibilities will be soon handed over to the APPF, he said.
"In terms of equipment, we are ready to take on the security of the supply convoys on the highways but our soldiers and officers still need more trainings and their training is continuing going on," Junbish parliament.
Junbish responded to questions of the fees for APPF security services on highways explaining that convoys are charged US$175 per vehicle for every 50km. This money goes to the government treasury, he said.