RASC News Agency: Local sources in Herat have revealed that the Taliban, reacting to the rising value of the U.S. dollar against the kabuli rupees, have instructed money changers in the province to withhold the publication of dollar exchange rates. On Wednesday, January 15, sources confirmed that the Herat Money Changers’ Union has refrained from releasing the dollar’s rate for the past two days. Previously, the Union’s Telegram channel provided real-time updates on currency exchange rates, including the dollar. However, following the recent surge in its value, the channel now exclusively publishes the exchange rate for the Iranian toman.
According to an insider, the Taliban specifically directed the Union to cease broadcasting real-time updates on the dollar. The Taliban authorities in Herat have not issued any official statements on this directive. However, just two days ago, Taliban operatives reportedly detained and assaulted six money changers in Kabul’s Shahzada Market, accusing them of exacerbating the rise in the dollar’s value. Presently, one U.S. dollar is exchanged for 73.50 kabuli rupees in Shahzada Market. This increase in the dollar’s value against the kabuli rupees coincided with declarations from former U.S. President Donald Trump and senior American officials about suspending millions of dollars in aid to Afghanistan.
Prominent figures, including Elon Musk, condemned U.S. financial assistance to the Taliban regime, describing it as disgraceful and a reinforcement of terrorism. The Taliban’s recent actions appear to be an attempt to suppress public awareness of the ongoing currency devaluation. By silencing the Money Changers’ Union and restricting the dissemination of exchange rate updates, the group aims to mask the worsening economic crisis under their rule.
