SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Six people were detained on smuggling charges at Bashmaksh border crossing following decisions by the deputy prime minister and the co-president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), an official said on Thursday.
The decisions made by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and PUK Co-president Bafel Talabani were to further control trade on the border crossings, said supervisor of Baskhmakh border crossing Major General Mariwan Sheikh Kamal.
“They have had a good impact on the prevention of smuggling,” he told Esta Media Network.
“Following the decision, we were able to detain six people over smuggling on Bashmakh border crossing,” he said, noting that their cases were sent to Bashmakh police.
Both the deputy premier and the PUK co-president have begun steps to do reform and end corruption and smuggling through Sulaimani airport and border crossings in the province.
Earlier on Thursday, lawmaker Ali Hama Salih said smuggling had decreased at Bashmakh border crossing, hoping authorities would stop it permanently.
“We had talked about smuggling continuously for two years, [they] rejected it,” he said. “Now, they talk about it as a crime. I hope they stop it practically.”
“Now the airport is good,” he added, referring to Sulaimani airport. “[It] has decreased at Bashmakh border crossing, but hasn’t halted completely.”
“Now, we cannot totally judge, but in two-three other weeks.”
