US dollar appreciates as fuel, flour prices rise in Kabul — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The value of the US dollar and the prices of fuel and flour increased during the outgoing week in Kabul markets, while the prices of other essential commodities remained largely unchanged. Haji Mohammad Hussain, owner of Sadaqat Money Exchange Service, told Pajhwok Afghan News one US dollar was traded at 66.50afs, while 1,000 Pakistani rupees exchanged for 230afs. Last week, one US dollar traded at 64.60afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees at 227afs. He said the value of the US dollar had risen against the afghani due to a shortage of US currency in the market. However, trading continued as usual and the exchange rate was expected to decline again. A worker at the Ahmadyar fuel station said the price of one litre of petrol increased from 73afs to 77afs, while diesel rose from 68afs to 73afs. Mohammad Jan Amin, a shopkeeper in Kabul’s Dahan-i-Bagh area, said the price of one kilogram of liquefied gas increased from 56afs to 64afs. Fuel vendors attributed the increase to rising global oil prices following economic developments and regional tensions. According to the Oil Price website, a barrel of crude oil was trading at $71.41, up from $68.69 last Saturday. Zamari Safi, head of the Food Traders Union in Kabul, said the wholesale price of a 49-kilogram sack of Kazakh flour increased from…