Hundreds of shops closed in Ghazni amid hoarding, price hikes

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): The municipality has closed hundreds of shops in the capital of southern Ghazni province following a sudden rise in food prices, citing the ongoing conflict in Iran as a pretext.

Abdul Wali Jalalzai, spokesman for the provincial municipality, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the Urban Order Committee has been monitoring the implementation of the official price list in various areas of the provincial capital to prevent hoarding and control prices.

He added that the committee also assessed the prices and quality of food and other essential goods.

Jalalzai explained that many vendors were selling their products at rates higher than those specified in the official price list.

He noted that some shopkeepers blamed the recent conflict involving Iran for the price hikes, claiming that imports and commodity costs had been affected.

Jalalzai stressed that all vendors are obliged to follow the official price list and warned that repeated violations would lead to legal action.

He said that about 800 shops had been closed during the campaign.

He noted that a comprehensive monitoring operation had been launched to hear public complaints and regulate the market, adding that the process would continue.

Jalalzai also urged residents to cooperate with authorities in ensuring the implementation of the price list and to report violations to the relevant entities.

Meanwhile, some shopkeepers told Pajhwok that the problem was not limited to retailers, arguing that wholesalers and importers were also supplying goods at higher prices.

They called on the authorities to implement price-control measures at wholesale markets and import sources so that retailers could sell goods at reasonable rates.

Mohammad Tahir, a resident of the province, said: “Shopkeepers always raise prices during Ramadan, Eid, or when wars break out in other countries; this is not fair.”

He urged officials to maintain continuous oversight rather than short-term measures to ensure market stability and prevent people from struggling to meet their basic needs.

The municipality assured the public that it would strengthen its efforts to regulate the market, prevent hoarding, and control prices to safeguard people’s rights during this sensitive period of economic pressure.

kk/sa