KABUL (SW) – Khalilullah Sidiq, chairman of the Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), told the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) on Monday the growing gap between imports and exports has put the afghani under pressure.
He was asked by the house to come and brief the lawmakers over the fall in the value of afghani against the U.S. dollar. In his remarks, the central bank chairman said fragile security and political situation has also left negative impacts on the currency. Khalilullah Sidiq further said hundreds of vehicles are crossing over from Afghanistan to Iran on daily basis without proper check, and many people are smuggling dollars via the Islam Qala – Mashad route to Iran.
The chairman assured members the outdated currency is disposed of in a transparent manner in the presence of DAB officials. He said the recent improvement in the value of afghani is due to efforts of the security forces in clamping down smuggling of the USD from the country.
However, the members charged the DAB for supporting monopoly of a handful of forex traders in the free market. But, Khalilullah Sidiq rejected this notion, and said up to 40 forex traders take part in the open bidding for the USD by the DAB.
Munawar Shah Bahaduri, chairman of the economic affairs commission of the house, urged the DAB chairman to take steps in keeping the value of afghani in control in a bid to keep the prices of basic commodities within the reach of the people.
This is the second time the DAB chairman has been called by the house for briefing on this matter.
ENDS
