As conflict spreads in Kandahar, prices soar

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): The ongoing fighting in southern Kandahar province has not only killed and injured hundreds of civilians and displaced thousands of families, but also resulted in increased prices of food and non-food items.

Over the past few weeks, several districts in Kandahar fell one after another, with the conflict spreading to Kandahar city, the provincial capital. The clashes have hit the people hard in every way and caused them serious problems.

Mohammad Ibrahim, a resident of the first police district of Kandahar city, said that as a result of the conflict, a dozen of districts have fallen into the hands of insurgents and clashes are ongoing in seven security districts of Kandahar city. Hundreds of people have been killed and injured and 24000 families have been displaced and thousands more rendered jobless, he said.

“People are restless due to sounds of light and heavy weapons, explosions and airstrikes. Bike riding is banned. Telecom services are switched off from afternoon till morning and people’s movement is restricted from 10pm until morning,” Ibrahim said.

He said the prices of daily use items had skyrocketed. A ten litre kin of ghee which was previously available for 1000 afghanis is now sold for 1200 afghanis, the resident said.

The price of a bag of flour has reached 1500 afghanis and the price of one kilogram of gas has risen to 65afs and that petrol to 61afs from 48afs.

About the price-hike, shopkeepers said highways were insecure and traders had to pay taxes to both the government and the Taliban.

One of them, Nasir Ahmad, said they bought items at higher rates from traders and that was why they sold the same at a higher rate to people.

“Due to insecurity, traders are not willing even to bring items and those who bring these items to the city are compelled to pay taxes to the government and the Taliban, this is the reason behind the increased rates.”

Haji Nasrullah Zaheer, Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the fighting had spread to the city, with roads becoming insecure or closed.

However, he said that the Spin Boldak road had been reopened and the prices would return to normal once the goods reach Kandahar city.

He also mentioned that the road to Islam Qala had been reopened and with the arrival of oil and gas, the prices of these items will also come down.

According to Kandahar Customs officials, the government lost 50 million afghanis revenue each day since Taliban taking over the Spin Boldak district.

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