In Kabul, many residents voiced their discontent with the prevalence of damaged banknotes in local markets, citing a significant increase in the circulation of worn-out 10 and 20 Afghani bills that have become “practically unusable.”
This issue arises while the Taliban-controlled Central Bank has pledged to introduce fresh currency into circulation in the near future.
“Everywhere we go, these banknotes are rendered invalid. For instance, even bakeries refuse to accept them,” remarked Nik Mohammad, a Kabul resident.
“The deteriorated banknotes are no longer practical. Shopkeepers decline to accept them,” added Lal Mohammad, a driver in Kabul.
“The government has made promises on numerous occasions to release new banknotes, but that has yet to materialize,” noted Basir Ahmad, another resident of Kabul.
Currency exchange professionals have also emphasized the urgency of introducing new banknotes to the nation’s markets.
“The market is flooded with damaged banknotes, so the government should expedite the distribution of fresh banknotes,” urged Najibullah, a currency exchange operator at the Shahzada Forex Market in Kabul.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, the Taliban-controlled Central Bank announced its decision to issue new 500 and 1000 Afghani bills to the market.
The bank’s spokesperson declared that people can exchange these older banknotes at private and state banks without incurring any charges.
