Afghan interim gov’t makes use of local currency mandatory

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The interim government in Afghanistan on Wednesday made it mandatory for all people to use the local Afghan currency in every transaction.

“The economic situation and national interests in the country demand that all Afghans use Afghani currency in every transaction,” the Taliban interim government’s deputy Information Minister Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.

The move comes as the Taliban consolidate power amid a freeze on Afghanistan’s foreign reserves worth $9 billion.

Washington froze the assets after the Taliban regained power in August and announced its interim government.

The UN has described the situation in Afghanistan as “dire” as a humanitarian crisis looms in winter.

Mujahid urged all citizens of the war-torn country, including shopkeepers, traders, to “conduct all transactions in Afghan currency and strictly refrain from using foreign currency as use of foreign currency negatively affects the economy of the country.”

“And it hurts all countrymen,” he said, warning any violation “will be dealt with legally.”

Despite the interim government is yet to be recognized internationally, the Taliban have been maintaining regular contacts with foreign governments and the UN to shore up humanitarian assistance to meet the basic demands of the people.