Taliban's Amr bil Maruf Ministry closes markets, arrests owners for overpricing

The spokesman for the Taliban's Ministry of Amr bil Maruf announced that muhtasebs from the ministry closed several markets and businesses in Kabul and some provinces due to overpricing. Saif al-Islam Khaybar stated that muhtasebs arrested owners of some markets.

In a press release on Thursday, 14 Hoot, Khaybar said the stores were sealed for setting arbitrary prices. According to him, these businesses were hoarding food items and selling them at inflated prices.

Khaybar warned vendors and business owners to sell food items at the determined prices, adding that legal action would be taken against violators.

The closures come amid rising food and medicine prices in Afghanistan, which traders and citizens attribute to border crossings with Pakistan remaining shut for more than five months due to heightened tensions. The Taliban have sought to increase imports of food, medicine and other goods from Iran and Central Asian countries instead. However, Iran's exports of food have stopped following recent U.S. and Israeli attacks.

Separately, the Taliban displayed captured Pakistani weaponry, according to the Ministry of Defense. Diplomatic efforts continue, with the Taliban foreign minister discussing security and Pakistan tensions with China's ambassador, while Russia urged both sides to resolve issues through dialogue. Britain reiterated its travel advisory against trips to Afghanistan.

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reported 481 Taliban members killed, 696 wounded and 226 posts destroyed since clashes began. Pakistan's senior advisor Rana Sanaullah called for a buffer zone to prevent militants from entering from Afghanistan, a policy opposed by the Taliban. Army Chief Asim Munir emphasized continued operations until the Taliban cease supporting insurgents.