The Kabul Municipality on Thursday vowed to control the rising prices, particularly of food items, in the local markets, warning shopkeepers to follow the prices introduced by the government, or their shops will be closed.

The municipality said that dozens of shops have been closed so far over violating the prices list announced by the municipality and that the process is underway.

“It is an oppression against the people. The prices have increased. Whoever sells at a high prices, their shops will be closed for one week,” said Mohammad Ayub Sabit, a representative for district 6 of Kabul.

Municipality officials said they prepare prices list once every week, and shopkeepers must sell their goods based on that.

According to the prices set by Kabul Municipality, a 49-kg bag of flour should be sold for 2,360 Afs $26), a 21-kg bag of rice at 2,260 Afs ($25) and 16 liters of oil for 2,650 Afs ($25).

“The prices list that was distributed by the Commission for the Prevention of Hoarding and Trustees was prepared after final review by the officials who are in charge of it,” said Nematullah Barakzai, head of media office for Kabul Municipality.

Officials from the Afghan Chamber of Crafts and Shopkeepers said the closure of shops will reduce food items in local markets.

“These crimes and the closure of shops, in addition to not affecting price stability, will also reduce the supply of goods in the city and eventually leads to lack of commodities and food in Kabul,” said Noorul Haq Omari, head of the Afghan Chamber of Crafts and Shopkeepers.

Analysts suggest that the government should stabilize the prices by having a closer monitoring on the market.

“Market control is one of the responsibilities of the government,” said Shabir Bashiri, an analyst.

This comes as food prices increase in the country's markets every year with the arrival of Ramadan, but officials have vowed to apply more restrict rules to control the prices.