Worn-out banknotes: Herat money market closed 

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): The main money market in western Herat province has been closed because of old and mutilated banknotes, the money changers’ union said.

Ghulam Sarwar Sohrabi, head of Khurasan Market Moneychangers’ Union, told Pajhwok Afghan News the decision was made to avoid further circulation of old banknotes

He said the market would remain closed for customers and moneychangers until a solution was found to the problem of worn-out banknotes.

Meanwhile, the circulation of damaged banknotes has triggered concerns among Herat residents, who urged the authorities to address the issue.

Lailuma, a teacher who received her salary after two months of efforts, told Pajhwok: “I cannot use notes worth 800 afghanis; they are not counterfeit. The notes are too old and I have been offered only half of their value.”

This Pajhwok reporter tried to contact the Herat governor spokesman Maulvi Hamidullah Mutawakil, but he was not available for comments.

These days, the problem of old banknotes is widespread and even banks do not accept them any longer from customers.

aw/nh/mud