Gas prices to be brought down soon: official

KABUL): The Ministry of Commerce and Industries on Thursday said the prices of liquefied gas would be brought down soon, after Kabul residents complained about soaring rates of the key commodity.

Before Eidul Azha, a kilogram of gas was sold for 55 afghanis, but the rate has increased up to 100 afghanis a kilogram after the festival, residents say.

A Kabul dweller, Nasir Ahmad, said they were unable to afford the increasing gas price, urging the government to find an early solution to the problem.

Shopkeeper Zabihullah said he bought a kilogram of gas from wholesalers against 85 afghanis and sold it for 90afs. He confirmed a kilogram of gas was accounted for 50 afghanis before Eid.

Another resident, Abdul Hamid, said the gas price has not only increased, but its quality has also declined. He said the government had been unable so far to evolve a price control system in the country.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Wahidullah Ghazikhil, provided two reasons for the increased gas rates.

The first reason, he said, was surge in crude oil prices in the international market. As a second reason, he accused gas sellers of manipulating prices during Eid holidays.

He said the ministry planned to call explanation from traders regarding the high prices next Saturday. He said the ministry was working on a mechanism to find a solution to the problem.

mm/ma

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