RASC News Agency: Numerous residents of Qalat, the capital of Zabul province, have voiced their dissatisfaction with the persistent power shortages and exorbitant electricity costs. Zabul residents claim they cannot afford the high electricity tariffs and urge the Taliban to expedite the connection of imported electricity to the province, allowing them to benefit from affordable energy.
One resident stated, “We cannot afford the electricity bills. Paying for diesel generator power is beyond our means. We call on the government to connect Zabul to imported electricity or hydropower.” The shortage of electricity and its high cost have made life difficult for the people of Zabul. A shopkeeper selling cosmetics in Qalat mentioned, “I use solar power for my shop and have disconnected the state electricity meter because the cost of government electricity is prohibitively high.”
It is noteworthy that Zabul residents pay the highest costs for household electricity in the country. Residential electricity costs 15 kabuli rupees per kilowatt, while commercial electricity is priced at 35 kabuli rupees per kilowatt. Meanwhile, people in Helmand also report power issues, stating that many areas lack consistent electricity supply.
