Moneychanger didn’t die due to surge in dollar value

KABUL (Pajhwok): News regarding a money changer’s cardiac arrest of in western Farah province on hearing about the sudden rise in the dollar’s value is incorrect.

The afghani has been in free fall against the US dollar in recent months, leaving made people worried about the already shaky economic situation of the country.

On Monday, one dollar accounted for 125 afs in Kabul money market. Nearly four months earlier, one dollar was exchanged for 88 afs.  The massive depreciation of the local currency has triggered concerns among the Afghans.

A day earlier, the Council of Ministers tasked its Economic Commission to take immediate steps for stabilising the afghani and holding consultations with relevant institutions in this regard.

Claim

Last night, Hash-e-Subh newspaper reported that Ghulam, a money changer in western Farah province, suffered cardiac arrest after knowing about the drastic surge in the value of the dollar against the afghani.

Ghulam had borrowed dollars and since its values surged against the afghani he could not absorb the pressure and suffered cardiac arrest.

Khama Press and Etlaat-e-Roz also released the report that went viral on social media as well.

Fact check

Gul Mohammad, a relative of Ghulam, rejected the report regarding the moneychanger’s death as groundless.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News it was untrue that Ghulam had borrowed dollars or that he had suffered cardiac arrest as a result of greenback surging in value.

He explained Ghulam died on Monday while sleeping at home. “He was partner with another person in the money exchange business. He never borrowed money and was happy with his business.”

Another family member, who wished not to be named, confirmed Ghulam had not died due to in an increase in the dollar value. The businessman had poisoned himself to death as a result of family issues, the source claimed.

Outcome:

Some media outlets reported the Farah moneychanger had died due to the rise in dollar’s value but sources close to Ghulam rejected the reports as incorrect.

Verdict:

It is Incorrect that Ghulam had suffered cardiac arrest due to the surge in dollar’s value.

nh/mud