Moneychangers on strike after colleague kidnapped

KABUL (Pajhwok): Money changers have gone on strike in capital Kabul and provinces to protest lack of government’s attention to their security after one of their colleagues was kidnapped at gun-point in northern Balkh province.

Unknown gunmen kidnapped Haji Abdul Qayyoum, head of the money changers in Balkh province, and he is still missing.

The moneychangers held small and large gatherings in Kabul and provinces and asked the government to take steps for their security.

Younis Momand, deputy head of Chamber of Commerce, said moneychangers closed eight large money markets in capital Kabul and ordered their colleagues to close their shops in provinces as well.

He said the shutter down strike was causing moneychangers millions of losses. He said: “It is shameful for the government that people are looted in broad daylight, their mobiles are snatched and they are kidnapped.”

He added: “Money changers are killed, their family members kidnapped and the government is aware of all these incidents. The government should tell us how much progress is made in their cases.”

Haji Amin Khosti, head of the Shazada market in Kabul, said the people did not know what happened to kidnappers who had been arrested. “All kidnappers should be punished according to the law.”

nh/ma

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