Citizens complained that the increase of old banknotes in circulation is causing severe challenges in daily business activity.

They called on the Central Bank to print new banknotes in order to address the problems of worn-out banknotes in the markets.  

“People have a serious problem. They even engage in disputes with shopkeepers regarding worn-out banknotes. Sometimes the number is invalid, the banknote is torn, and sometimes the banknotes have glue on them,” said Baz Mohammad, resident of Kabul   

“We ask the government to print new banknotes and we call on the international community to free the Afghan assets,” said Yaar Mohammad, a resident of Kabul. 

Meanwhile, Da Afghanistan Bank (Central Bank) has published a notice giving examples of unusable banknotes. 

“The Afghani banknotes, where one part is destroyed ... or their appearance has changed but its origin can be identified can’t be used in the markets,” said Mohammad Saber Momand, a spokesman of the Central Bank. 

The Union of Money Exchangers of Sarai Shahzada Market said that many money exchangers across the country have been closed due to the increase of worn-out banknotes in the markets.   

“In recent days, the worn-out banknotes have created big problems in money exchange markets all over the country. The chiefs and money-exchangers of money-exchange markets are contacting us and complaining about the increase of the Afghan banknotes,” said Abdul Rahman Zerak, spokesman of union of cashiers of Sarai Shahzada Market. 

Economists say that the Central Bank is responsible for distribution and management of banknotes in the country’s markets.  

“Da Afghanistan Bank has the responsibility to print, distribute and control banknotes in the markets in Afghanistan. The worn-out banknotes usually are collected by the central banks all over the world, and then are destroyed,” said Seyar Qureshi, an economist.