Afghan Economy: The Central Bank has instructed residents of the country’s south-western provinces to stop their commercial transactions in Pakistani currency and has given them a time limit for this.
Afghan Economy: The Central Bank of Afghanistan has started promoting the Afghan currency in the south-western region of the country since last week and is likely to ban the use of Pakistani currency soon. According to news agency ANI, this information has been given in the report of Khama Press.
The Central Bank has instructed residents of the country’s south-western provinces to stop their commercial transactions in Pakistani currency and has given them a time limit for this. Residents have been given two and a half months to conduct their commercial transactions using Afghani currency and have been advised to avoid foreign currencies.
And what does the Central Bank order say?
The announcement specifically warned residents of Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand, Zabul and Daykundi provinces and asked them to conduct business transactions only through the national currency, Khaama Press reported.
According to the Central Bank’s announcement, after the specified date, all transactions with other currencies will be considered illegal and legal action will be taken against violators.
Afghan traders upset due to closure of Torkham crossing
Meanwhile, protests are continuing across the country against the closure of Torkham crossing. According to the protesters, Pakistan regularly closes the Torkham border under various pretexts during the fruit and vegetable season. He urged Afghan and Pakistani officials to resolve their political differences through diplomatic channels, Tolo News reported. Wahidullah, a trader, said, ‘When the season of fruits and vegetables comes, you (Pakistan) block the road, create problems. You attack your posts. Why?’
The Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce said the closure of Torkham has caused a loss of approximately US$1 million to traders on both sides of the border. The border was closed after clashes broke out due to the construction of a new post on the border.
The busy Torkham border crossing was closed on Wednesday after Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces opened fire on each other, according to local officials.
