A number of Kabul residents expressed concerns over the rising value of the dollar against Afghan currency.

They said that the depreciation of the Afghan currency against the dollar has also increased the price of goods and added to their challenges.

They said that due to the rise of food prices, they cannot afford to buy groceries.

“Day-by-day the dollar is rising and the Afghan currency is losing its value in the market. As the value of the dollar rises against the Afghan currency, so does the price of basic food items,” said Abdul Wahed, a Nangarhar resident.

“The dollar has risen and this is to the detriment of the people because everything is bought in dollars. Unemployment and the rise of of the dollar prices prevents people from buying anything,” said Ahmad Shoiab, a Kabul resident.

The spokesman for the Islamic Emirate said that the value of the dollar has risen not only in Afghanistan but also in the world markets as well.

“We will take effective steps to maintain the exchange rate in Afghanistan and try to keep the value of Afghan currency,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.

The Kabul money exchangers union said that a few weeks ago the Central Bank invested $2.5 million dollars into the market but this did not stop the depreciation of Afghan currency against foreign currencies.

“We request of Da Afghanistan that the markets not be closed so that the Afghan currency loses its value,” said Haji Zirak Zirak, the spokesperson of the money exchangers union in Kabul.

On Thursday, one dollar was 96 Afghani in the currency market, which is the highest in the past two decades.