Protesting truckers driving up prices at Kabul’s bazaars

Published

4 years ago

February 17, 2021

(Last Updated On: )

Shopkeepers and Kabul residents on Wednesday raised concerns about the increase in price of basic goods, foodstuff and fuel, which they attribute to protesting truck drivers.

Truck drivers started protesting against the issuance of new permits, which they claim puts them at risk of falling victim to corruption on the part of police.

In protest against this move, truck drivers have since blocked key highways for other trucks into Kabul.

This has however had a resounding effect on the price of goods on local markets.

A study by Ariana News found that on Wednesday liquid gas had increased from 48 AFN to 80 AFN per liter.

The price of petrol also went up, from 36 AFN a liter to 47 AFN a liter. A bag of flour meanwhile increased to 2,000 AFN from 1,800 AFN.

Hashmat, one shopkeeper said some highways into Kabul had been closed for 20 days – putting a strain on supplies. He also said government was not doing anything to address the problem.

“Government is careless about this; a lot of the goods are destroyed (along transit routes); and prices have increased,” said Hashmat.

Traders stated that a continued rise in costs of basic goods will result in an economic crisis in the country. They called for government to resolve the issues urgently.

“Our stock is not enough to last for 10 days. We used to pay 40 Afs a kilo for gas, now we pay 47 Afs,” said Ahmadzai, a trader.

“Highways are blocked; if we do not get gas at the bazaar soon, the price will rise to 250 a kilogram soon,” said Moqim, another trader.

Officials meanwhile stated that legal action will be taken against those who block highways.

“Biased and irresponsible people, who are blocking highways will be referred to the Attorney General’s Office,” said Hekmatullah Qawanch, spokesman for the Ministry of Transport.

The Ministry of Interior’s spokesman Tariq Arian meanwhile said drivers have complained that police are demanding bribes from them.

“Some drivers connected to transportation companies claim that police are bribing them,” said Arian.

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Afghan businessman to invest up to $12 million in iron ore extraction in Panjshir

Published

13 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

An unnamed Afghan businessman is reportedly ready to invest up to $12 million in iron ore mining in Panjshir province, the provincial governor’s spokesman Saifuddin Laton said Sunday.

According to Laton, the businessman has shown interest in investing between $3 and $12 million to mine an area covering 22 square kilometers in Paryan district in Panjshir.

Laton said the contract for this project has been approved by the Economic Directorate of the Prime Minister’s Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).

In addition to extraction, the businessman will also carry out the processing and packaging of the iron ore within the province to create greater added value.

Laton said that in the first phase, the company will launch an exploratory program of the reserves over six months, during which around 500 jobs will be created.

After completing this phase, formal extraction work will begin, he said.

Afghanistan possesses substantial iron ore reserves, estimated at 2.2 billion tonnes, making it a top 10 country for extractable iron.

The largest deposit, Hajigak, is located in Bamiyan province, and contains an estimated 1.7 billion tonnes of high-grade ore.

Afghan deputy agriculture minister leaves for Iran’s international expo

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2025

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Sadri Azam Osmani, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, on Saturday left Kabul to participate in the 7th International Exhibition of Iran’s Export Capabilities in Tehran.

The expo will be held from April 28 to May 2. According to the organizers, between 2,000 and 3,000 foreign traders from around the world are expected to attend.

Osmani expressed hope that this trip will pave the way for the growth of trade and attract more investments to Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s deputy PM discusses Trans-Afghan Railway Line project with Uzbek FM

On Thursday, in a post on X, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Dar hoped that the three countries would soon sign the framework agreement for this important regional connectivity project.

Published

4 days ago

April 24, 2025

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich, on Thursday to discuss the Trans-Afghan Railway Line Project.

This comes after Dar’s recent visit to Kabul, where he held talks with officials on the planned Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Line Project.

The three neighboring countries signed an agreement in February 2021 to construct a 573-kilometer railway line through Afghanistan, connecting landlocked Central Asia to Pakistan seaports, with an estimated cost of $4.8 billion to enhance regional economic connectivity.

On Thursday, in a post on X, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Dar hoped that the three countries would soon sign the framework agreement for this important regional connectivity project.

The two leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing economic and trade connectivity, promoting people-to-people ties, and exchanged views on current regional and international issues.