Rising rents, taxes worry Jalalabad shopkeepers

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Shopkeepers in the capital of eastern Nangarhar province say their businesses have lately deteriorated and they are unable to pay high rents.

Jalalabad, which used to be crowded with people from many provinces during the winter, has not been as busy this year. Shopkeepers say their businesses have been falling.

Hayatullah Hamidi, a pharmacist in the city, said his business was not as profitable as it was in the past. He finds it difficult to pay the rent and taxes imposed by the government.

Sharifullah, a tailor, called on the authorities to put pressure on shop’ owners and reduce rents and taxes to resolve their problems.

They warned of closing their shops and winding up businesses in the city if their problems were not addressed on priority.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Yahya Ghafoorzai acknowledged the shopkeepers’ problems and said a commission would be set up to resolve them.

He insisted they were trying their best to find a solution to the problems of the citizens and shopkeepers.

sa/mud