The shopkeepers in the southeastern province of Paktia claimed that they are paying more taxes than they were paying under the previous government.

The shopkeepers said this is the case despite the Islamic Emirate’s decision to reduce the taxes from 1.5 percent to 0.5 percent.

"While the previous government imposed 1.5 percent, the taxes would have been between 14,000 Afs to 15,000 Afs. Now, while the taxes have been reduced to 0.5 percent,

they issued the bill for 200,000 Afs," said Qayom Khan, a shopkeeper.

The shopkeepers said that they are obliged to sell the materials at a high price due to high taxes.

"The tax on me is 334,000 Afs. The business is also not as good as in the time of government. We call on the government to show flexibility with us," said Abdul Qadir Khoshal, owner of a market.

"The materials in my shop are worth around 500,000 Afs and half it is a loan. But I am charged with 200,000 Afs," said Abdullah, a shopkeeper.

Despite consecutive attempts, TOLOnews was unable to obtain any comment from the local officials in this regard.

Last week, the second deputy prime minister, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, visited Paktia to assess the trade and financial challenges in the country.

The shopkeepers said that there has yet to be any progress in this regard.