KABUL): The Ministry of Commerce and Industries on Monday said it had purchased 10,000 tonnes of liquefied gas which would be available in Kabul utility stores for 55 afghanis a kilogram and 60afs in private stores.
Before Eidul Adha, one kg of gas sold for 55afs, but currently the rate hovers between 80afs and 90afs. In compliance with President Hamid Karzai’s directives, the ministry purchased 3,000 tonnes of gas from importers at the Hairatan Port in northern Balkh province and another 7,000 tonnes at the Torghundi Port in western Herat province.
Ministry spokesman Wahidullah Ghazikhel told Pajhwok Afghan News the first convoy of trucks carrying the gas would be reaching Kabul this weekend.
Another official at the ministry, Farid Sherzai, said 70 new utility stores offering gas had been set up in Kabul, taking the number of such stores to 100. The stores sold one kg of gas for 55afs, he added.
Sherzai added the gas purchased by the ministry was being offered to traders at a reasonable rate. The dealers, keeping in view their profits, would sell a kg for 60afs, he explained.
The official warned if traders continued to fleece their customers, the government would increase the number of utility stores to 150. He said 500 tonnes of gas was needed on a daily basis to meet Kabul residents’ demand.
ma/mud
Visits: 0
GET IN TOUCH
NEWSLETTER
SUGGEST A STORY
PAJHWOK MOBILE APP