Mazar-i-Sharif Residents Voice Concerns Over Rising Fuel Prices

With the onset of winter, residents of Mazar-i-Sharif say fuel prices, including coal and firewood, have risen significantly. Some warn that the increase is making daily life more difficult for low-income families.

Hafezullah, a local resident, noted that just last week he paid 55 Afghanis for a seer (approximately 7 kg) of coal, but the price has since jumped to 65 Afghanis. Another resident, Jamaluddin, said that although the current prices are not drastically different from last year, the declining purchasing power of the people means many can no longer afford fuel.

Fuel sellers in Mazar-i-Sharif have also expressed frustration at rising wholesale prices. They report that the cost of a ton of coal has increased by up to 1,500 Afghanis in recent months, while a cartload of firewood has gone up by around 500 Afghanis. Mohammad Omar, a fuel vendor, said firewood prices have climbed roughly 500 Afghanis compared to last year.

Despite these complaints, officials at the Mazar-i-Sharif municipality say markets are under regular supervision. Mostafa Mohammadi, a municipal spokesperson, emphasized that the pricing oversight commission remains active and the administration is paying serious attention to controlling prices.

Nonetheless, residents are calling on the Taliban administration to take more effective measures to halt the rising cost of fuel. These concerns echo earlier complaints from residents in the capital, where fuel prices have also surged, yet no substantial action has been taken by the Taliban authorities to address the issue.