HERAT, Afghanistan — Money exchangers in Herat protested a new Taliban mandate requiring them to deposit over 6.6 million Afghanis (approximately $93,000) as a guarantee to continue their business operations. They argued that the hefty sum is unaffordable and have called on the Taliban to reconsider the decision.
Protests erupted in Herat over the mandate, which culminated on Tuesday when the Taliban intervened and reportedly beat a protester, according to sources. The demonstrators revealed that the Taliban’s policy has forced nearly 80 percent of money exchange shops in Herat to shut down.
Members of the Money Exchanging Union in Herat stated that the Taliban-run Central Bank of Afghanistan is demanding 6.6 million Afghanis as a guarantee from each money exchanger to continue their activities. Additionally, the Central Bank requires a bank account statement showing more than five million Afghanis to obtain a money exchange license.
Herat money exchangers argue that these requirements are impractical and beyond their financial capabilities. “Every money exchanger has to deposit 6.6 million Afghanis as a guarantee,” said Mohammad Anwar, a money exchanger in Herat. “There are money changers who only have 500,000 Afghanis in investment. Right now, at least 1,000 money exchanges are closed. Each shop employs five people, and 5,000 people are unemployed. They talk about Amir al-Mu’minin, where is Amir al-Mu’minin to hear the people’s pain?”
The money exchangers insist that the Taliban’s demands should align with their financial realities. “For the sake of God; the people are not at all satisfied with this decision of the government [Taliban]. If they are taking people’s livelihood, at least they should have an alternative for the people,” said Mohammad Haroon, another money exchanger in Herat.
The head of the Herat Money Exchangers Union noted that, based on a decree from the Taliban leader, money exchange shops lacking a Central Bank license will be shut down. “This program will be implemented for all money exchange shops inside the city and in the districts,” he said.
On Tuesday, Herat money exchangers staged a protest in front of the Taliban governor’s office in Herat. Sources reported that the protest ended after the Taliban intervened and assaulted the demonstrators.
