ZARANJ, Afghanistan — Residents of Nimroz province have voiced frustration over surging electricity prices, reporting that they are being charged six Afghanis per kilowatt-hour for power imported from Iran. By comparison, residents in neighboring provinces pay only four Afghanis per kilowatt-hour, they said.
The steep cost of electricity has become an acute burden for many in Nimroz, where the economy remains fragile. “The cost of electricity here is much higher than in other provinces. People have to cut down on their food expenses just to pay for power,” said Ghulam Rabbani, a resident of Nimroz. “If the city goes without power for even a day, life is severely disrupted.”
Abdul Nasir, another resident, emphasized the necessity of electricity despite the high costs. “Imported electricity comes from Iran, and people have no choice but to use it, but the price is very high,” he said.
Shopkeepers in Zaranj, the provincial capital, echoed these concerns, stating that their businesses have suffered due to the increasing expenses. “We have 16 family members. I don’t know how to cover the costs for all of them—it’s just impossible,” said Mohammad Rasul, a shopkeeper.
Nimroz, located in southwestern Afghanistan and sharing a border with Iran, has historically been known for its connection to the ancient Silk Road. According to local sources, Iran sells electricity to various provinces at different rates, resulting in higher prices for Nimroz compared to its neighbors.
Repeated attempts by Amu to obtain comments from the Taliban’s local officials regarding the increased electricity costs in Nimroz were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
