Ongoing insecurity hampers businesses in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The ongoing insecurity has affected business activities in northern Balkh province and along the northern highway, sources said on Sunday.

Members of the Provincial Council also acknowledged that some people are trying to take their capital out of Afghanistan.

During the past one month, the Taliban captured districts along the northern highway one after another and currently, according to officials, the Taliban control 90 percent of the highway.

In addition, fighting has reached close to the Hairatan Port, sparking huge security concerns on the highway.

Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Investment Executive Director Naseer Ahmad Qasami said on-going insecurities and conflict had put negative impact on business activities.

He said large scale investment had declined in Balkh province while surge in violence had worried most of business persons.

Qasami said: “Most of our import and export goods are transported on highways, most of highways in the north have recently become insecure due to heavy fighting so this is clear that our businessmen will suffer and the overall situation will have negative impact on the businesses.”

He warned if fighting begins in major cities, most of businesspersons will take their out their capitals.

Meanwhile, Balkh Provincial Council Head Mohammad AfzalHadid said most of people, including businessmen, were trying to go out of the country due to growing insecurity.

He said some factories had stopped production due to uncertain future.

He added some businessmen who invested in Balkh and were busy in business activities had left the country due to insecurity.

Amrudding, one of the businesspersons, said business activities had suffered due to growing insecurity.

He said travelling and transport of goods, including crude oil, has declined on the highway.

He said majority of areas on the northern highway were either in the Taliban hands or had become insecure.

Nh/ ma

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