Looted goods from Nato trucks end up in Peshawar market

[unhappycamper]

Looted goods from Nato trucks end up in Peshawar market
By Omer Farooq Khan

PESHAWAR: The goods looted from US and Nato supply convoys en route to military bases in Afghanistan, often land in a black market in Peshawar, a city that has earned fame for dealing in smuggled items from the West, at cheap prices.

Sitara Market, on the outskirts of Peshawar, just at the doorstep to the Khyber tribal region, is known for its smuggled goods. The merchandise, meant for use by US and Nato forces stationed in Afghanistan, ultimately lands in Peshawar’s black market, where local vendors claim that these smuggled items come from Afghanistan, Balochistan and from the Tribal Areas.

Military uniforms, shoes, pistol cases, knives, fibre-glass containers, jerry-cans, air conditioners, medicine kits, food items, books, portable furniture, hiking kits, binoculars and other multi-purpose apparatus finds its way into various shops in Sitara Market.

Even certificates of promotion, private family letters, cards and photographs are available for sale. Ten family photographs or cards are sold for a dollar. “Buy some cards and enjoy ‘sexy’ conversation,” is how one bearded vendor invites illiterate youth to buy birthday and Christmas cards. The cards, which had been sent to US soldiers by family members and dear ones, ultimately reach the bedrooms of frustrated youth. One of the cards sent by a mother to her son reads, “Hello sweet man. Hugs, kisses and lots of love from your mom. Miss you bunches! You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Your Mom!”

The certificates of promotion of US soldiers and books are displayed in one dilapidated shop in Sitara Market. The shopkeeper is selling only the plastic covers of these certificates for Rs 200 each (less than three dollars). Some of the best novels, biographies and warfare books, with price tags ranging from $ 20 to $ 80 are available at much cheaper rates than the plastic covers.

[Swamp Rat]

1. That's what happens when you illegally occupy a country and kill innocent women and children all day

and night. Boo hoo. You get some worthless shit stolen from you by the people you killed.

[Berserker]

2. Great post Swamp Rat

One of the best on DU in 6 years. You captured my anger.

[Swamp Rat]

3. I'm really fucking pissed off too.

People try to put me down, but I always jump back up swinging even harder.