Gold, gas & petrol prices decline

KABUL): Prices of gold, gas and petrol declined during the outgoing week in Kabul, where slight changes were seen in the rates of other essential commodities, retailers said on Thursday.

Abdul Baseer, a jeweller in the upscale Lecce-i-Maryam neighbourhood, told Pajhwok Afghan News the price of one gram of Arabian gold fell from 2,250 afghanis ($45) to 2,200afs and the same amount of the Iranian variety from 1,850afs to 1,800afs.

A gas dealer in the Taimani locality, Abdullah, said one kilogram of liquefied gas sold for 55afs, against last week’s price of 60afs. The decline was linked to ample gas imports through the Hairatan Dry Port in northern Balkh province and the weather change.

One litre of petrol came down from 66afs to 65afs and diesel from 64afs to 63 afs, said Mohammad Siddique, a filling station worker in the Taimani Square area.

Prices of some food items stayed stable and others slightly fluctuated, as a 50-kilogram bag of Brazilian sugar decreased by 10 afs, selling for 1,830afs. The same amount of Pakistani rice jumped from 2,600afs to 2,700 afs.

Food Traders’ Union head Haji Fazl Rahman said a 5-kg tin of Spin Ghar ghee accounted for 420afs, a kilo of African black tea for 200afs and the same quantity of Indonesian green tea for 170afs.

Moneychanger Mohammad Amin Khosti said the buying rate of a US dollar was 49.90 afs, while 1,000 Pakistani rupees accounted for 547afs. Last week’s exchange value of the greenback stood at 50afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees at 546afs, he concluded.

myn/mud