RASC News Agency: Residents of Farah province in western Afghanistan confirm that, in tandem with the arrival of winter, the cost of coal in the region has surged compared to the previous year. Noor Ahmad Farhati, a resident of Farah province, informed RASC News on Thursday, December 14th, that as winter draws near, the prices of fuel, particularly coal, are steadily escalating. He notes that the price of one ton of coal, which was 10,000 kabuli rupees,( Afghanistan’s common currency), has now soared to the threshold of 14,000 kabuli rupees or even higher.
Farhati adds, “Coal merchants vend this fuel at whatever rate they desire, imposing hardships on the populace in various ways, compelling people to acquire coal for heating their homes and families.” According to him, unemployment, intertwined with issues of poverty and economic hardship, has taken a toll on the entire population. Meanwhile, Mohammad Jalil, another resident of Farah province, conveyed to RASC News that owing to the absence of electricity in the province and the chilling weather, some individuals cannot afford to procure the necessary fuel. In the direst scenario, they are preparing for a severe Afghanistan winter. He emphasizes that the prices of fuels like coal in western provinces of Afghanistan are ascending, disproportionately affecting the impoverished and economically disadvantaged who endure cold days.
Furthermore, Abdul Baqi Timuri, a national trader in Farah province, informs RASC, “During the winter season, most fuel prices, especially coal, are escalating, and the global market directly influences these price hikes.” He states, “I implore those national traders engaged in the coal trade to devote necessary attention to reducing prices in the winter season for collaborative efforts with the people.” Mr. Timuri explicitly states that if officials, traders, and shopkeepers collaborate with the people to decrease prices, poverty and economic issues will no longer afflict various segments of society.
These observations arise from the residents of Farah province while Taliban authorities in the province assert having direct control over all prices in various commodities. It is noteworthy that the cause of the upsurge in coal prices in Afghanistan provinces is attributed to the transfer of these fuel materials to Pakistan.
