Religious leaders condemn hoarding

KABUL (Tolo News): Afghan citizens and a number of religious scholars urged the business community and merchants to act with responsibility in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, to refrain from hoarding, price-gouging and other wrong-doing.

They said that prices have sky-rocketed n the local market following the spread of COVID-19 and the price of one case of flour (50kg) has increased from 1600 afs to 1900 afs, which is more than poor families can afford.

Religious scholars during their congregation condemned hoarding and price-gouging as a crime: “I want to say to those hoarding: Be afraid of Allah, hoarding is a major crime,” said Mohammad Ayaz Niazi, a religious scholar in Kabul. Diljan, 60, is an Afghan woman who is the only breadwinner of her six-member family. She said that price-gouging has taken its toll on families.

“The prices are very high, the people–including myself–do not have enough money to even buy flour. What has this government done so far except treason?” said Diljan. “Flour and rice prices are very high and people can’t afford them now,” said Ahmad Milad, a resident in Kabul. “The main responsibility falls with the business community,” said Hayatullah, a resident in Kabul. “Prices are high in local markets, poor people can’t buy one case of flour at 1900 afs,” said Abdul Ghafoor, a resident in Kabul.

But shopkeepers and businessmen say that the prices have increased because of the shortage of groceries and foodstuffs. “The shopkeeper does not own a factory– they buy goods from the businessmen, so the shopkeeper is compelled to sell at a high price,” said Nayeb Ali, a shopkeeper in Kabul. Meanwhile, Khan Jan Alokozai, the head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), said that the closure of borders was one of the key factors behind the price hike. “Some routes are closed including Pakistan, therefore we request the Pakistani officials to address this issue, because we lose $2.5 million each day, I hope that the private sector and the government work together,” said Alokozai.