Fuel prices increase in Ghor province, shopkeepers report

Shopkeepers in Ghor province report rises in fuel prices, including petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

They state that the price of petrol per liter has increased from 60 Afghanis to 70 Afghanis. LPG per kilogram has risen by 7 to 10 Afghanis.

Abdul Rauf, a gas seller in Tulak district of Ghor, says he now buys LPG at 52 to 53 Afghanis per kilogram and sells it at 56 to 58 Afghanis. Previously, he purchased it at 44 to 45 Afghanis per kilogram. He adds that residents of Tulak use less fuel due to economic weakness and cannot afford the higher prices.

Abdul Rauf said: "Previously, we brought one kilogram of gas for 44 or 45 Afghanis, but now it has reached 52 to 53 Afghanis. People's economic conditions are very bad and they cannot afford to use gas with this price increase."

Residents and shopkeepers also complain about higher prices for petroleum products, especially petrol, which sells for 70 to 75 Afghanis per liter in Tulak. Faqir Ahmad, another shopkeeper, says diesel costs 70 to 75 Afghanis per liter in tanks and 80 to 85 Afghanis in shops. He notes that people cannot even operate their vehicles, including motorcycles.

Fuel for Ghor residents is supplied from Herat and Kabul provinces. Prices vary across districts depending on transportation costs. In border districts like Tulak, Taywara and Pasaband, supplied from Herat and Bamiyan, prices are relatively lower. In central Ghor, higher transport costs lead to elevated prices.