HERAT CITY - The government warned on Monday of fining and jailing those dirtying the western Herat City, inhabited by a million people.
Gul Ahmad Ramesh, head of the attorney office, told Pajhwok Afghan News a new city cleanliness rule would take effect after an awareness campaign about implications of pollution.
"A draft law, based on Articles 505, 506, 508, 520 of Afghanistan's penal code of 1976, was approved at a recent provincial administration meeting," he said.

Article 506 states anyone throwing dirty water, garbage and harmful things on roads, in courts and parks are to be imprisoned for 15 days or fined 500 afs, Ramesh said.

Under Article 250, those ignoring government rules can entail three months imprisonment and a fine of up to 3,000 afs. Copies of Article 506 have been distributed to 20,000 locals as part of the awareness drive.

Abdul Qayum Afghan, the provincial environment protection agency chief, said a body, with members from the municipality, justice department, communication and police, had been assigned to enforce the law.

Prayer leaders and local council heads had also been entrusted with promoting public awareness, Afghan said. Violators of the rule will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Pleased with the measure, something unprecedented in Afghanistan, Hafizullah, 34, said: "The mayor is seriously pursuing cleanliness of the city."

In addition to fines and imprisonment, he suggested promoting the culture of urbanisation to discipline citizens and keep the city clean.