Nearly 100 Tons of Substandard Fuel Destroyed in Afghanistan’s Islam Qala

Customs authorities in Islam Qala, located in Afghanistan’s Herat province, have recently destroyed nearly 100 tons of substandard fuel, including low-quality petrol and diesel that had been smuggled into the country. The destruction was carried out in accordance with a court order and after laboratory testing confirmed the poor quality of the fuel.

According to the Taliban’s Ministry of Finance, the smuggled fuel was brought into Afghanistan in several shipments through commercial vehicles. Customs officers seized the shipments and conducted inspections and analyses.

The results showed that the fuel did not meet accepted technical standards and its use in vehicles could cause serious damage to machinery and pose environmental risks.

While Taliban officials described the destruction as a move to protect public health, many experts argue that a lack of oversight and widespread corruption within relevant institutions have contributed to the increasing influx of low-quality fuel into the country.

Without transparent monitoring and formal accountability, experts warn that merely destroying such fuel is not enough to stop ongoing smuggling and the import of substandard petroleum. They place the primary responsibility on unaccountable Taliban officials who, rather than preventing smuggling, have allegedly facilitated the entry of such illicit goods.