Afghanistan hikes police salaries

KABUL — Afghanistan is hiking police salaries by between 33 and 67 percent, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday, to curb rampant corruption and boost recruitment in a force that suffers much higher casualty rates than the insurgency-wracked country's army.

Police are seen as crucial to improving security and eventually allowing foreign troops to go home. But many police complain they are underpaid and under-equipped. President Hamid Karzai has said he wants Afghan forces to take the lead in securing the nation within five years.

Interior Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar said salaries will increase from $180 (euro120) to $240 (euro160) for police in high-threat provinces — a 33 percent rise. In lower risk areas, they will increase to $200 (euro133) from the current $120 (euro80) — a 67 percent rise.

The 93,000-strong police force, along with the judiciary, are widely considered among the most corrupt institutions in Afghanistan, with low salaries contributing to the problem.

Atmar said the United States will pay the $70 million (euro46.7 million) that the first year's increases will cost. The following year, 14 other donor countries will cover the cost, he said. He did not specify which countries were contributing.

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