Balkh residents decry high fuel prices despite strong afghani

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Though the US dollar has lost some value against the afghani, yet fuel prices remain sky high in domestic markets, residents of northern Balkh province complain, urging the government to control fuel prices.

Muhib Rahman, a taxi driver in Mazar-i-Sharif city, told Pajhwok Afghan News the dollar had lost some value against the afghani, but fuel prices remained the same.

He said a litre of petrol was sold for 72 afghanis in the past and it remained unchanged despite the appreciation of the local currency.

He added taxi fare was low and drivers had to purchase petrol at a high rate and could not make any profit. Muhib Rahman asked the government to control fuel prices.

Mohammad Haroon, a resident who has parked his own car at home due to high fuel prices, said he daily hired taxi to go to office.

He also said dollar rate had dipped against afghani, but fuel prices remained unchanged.

He also urged the government to bring down fuel prices.

Rahimullah, another resident, made similar remarks and added people were in bad economic situation and the government must control commodities’ prices.

Sifatullah, owner of a private fuel station, said they purchased fuel at high price and had to sell it to customers at high price.

He said: “Fuel prices are not in our hands, we purchase it with high rate and sell it to our customers with the same high rate.”

But government officials say fuel prices depend on their rates in international markets.

Omid Dihati, administrative and finance chief at Hairatan port, said fuel prices somehow related to their prices in international markets, but efforts will be made to control fuel prices in domestic markets.

Dihati said they supplied fuel to Kabul and provinces to control its prices from increasing in domestic markets.

Currently, one litre of petrol is sold for 72 afs, super petrol for 75 afs, diesel for 64 afs and one litre of liquid gas for 28 afs.

It is worth mentioning that dollar’s rate decreased from 80-90 afs to 70 afs during the past month and surged again to 79 afs.

aw/ma