The Central Bank of Afghanistan has warned residents in the country’s southwestern provinces. They are instructed to cease their commercial transactions using the Pakistani currency (Rupee) and have been given a deadline.
The Central Bank has initiated the promotion of the Afghani currency in the country’s southwestern region since last week.
Residents in the southwestern region have been given two-and-a-half months to conduct their commercial transactions using the Afghani currency. They are advised to refrain from dealing with foreign currencies.
The bank’s announcement explicitly warns residents of the provinces of Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand, Zabul, and Dykundi to conduct their trade transactions using the national currency.
It is said in the announcement that after the specified date, all transactions with other
currencies will be deemed illegal, and legal action will be taken against violators.
Amidst escalating tensions between Afghan and Pakistani border guards, a tragic incident unfolded, resulting in the loss of four children, two members of the Taliban forces, and two Pakistani forces due to skirmishes. This unsettling event has sent shockwaves through the region, raising concerns about the volatile situation at the border.
The repercussions of these clashes have been far-reaching. In the aftermath of the
violence, the Torkham crossing border has been forcibly shut down. This closure
has profoundly impacted Afghan traders, who are in a precarious situation. They are stranded, unable to conduct their cross-border business activities and face the looming risk of losing their valuable properties on both sides of the border.
The closure of the Torkham border has disrupted trade and worsened an already fragile situation. On Monday, the Pakistani Foreign Minister said that the border closure is a response to the Afghan government’s infrastructure construction within Pakistani territory.
As of now, there has yet to be an official response from the Taliban administration regarding this statement from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
