The clients of Azizi Bank, a private Afghan bank, have expressed concerns over the withdrawal of money from their accounts.

They said that Azizi Bank does not provide withdrawals for their clients based on the statement released by the Central Bank.

Earlier, UAE media reported that the head of the Azizi Bank, Mirwais Azizi, donated $50 million to vulnerable people in the UAE.

The clients of Azizi Bank said that they are unable to withdraw more than 20,000 Afs in one week.

“There is a huge need for money but the problem is that when we talk to the banks, Azizi bank, when we ask it for money, they say there is no money and come back next week—and so on. The people are fed up, particularly with Azizi Bank,” said Masoud, a resident of Kabul.  

“Azizi Bank should pay attention to not having funds for the people. I mean, the money is the personal property of every person. They deposit it to be secure, not to be locked when it is needed,” said Mohammad Musa, a resident of Kabul.  

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said that the money of the citizens and traders deposited in the banks should be accessible.  

“The private banks should pay the rights of the people of Afghanistan instead of donating it overseas. I call on Da Afghanistan Bank to pay attention to the private banks which are conducting business through the money of the people of Afghanistan,” said Mohammad Younus Momand, head of the ACCI.  

This comes as a member of the ACCI, Khanjan Alokozai, said there is a need for more banking facilities to be provided to improve trade activities.  

“The new statement which was issued about the $600 that would allow the increase of withdrawals has not come into effect in all the banks,” he said. 

“The withdrawal of money without restrictions from the banking accounts of traders will facilitate commerce,” said Meer Shikib Meer, an economist.  

Nearly 20 days ago, the Central Bank of Afghanistan in a statement said that the amount of withdrawal from the banks has increased but the statement has not come into effect yet.  

Despite multiple attempts, TOLOnews was unable to obtain a comment from Azizi Bank on the matter.