KHOST CITY – Afghan Authorities have decided to enforce trade in afghani insoutheastern Khost province, in a bid to increase the circulation of localcurrency.

The move by Hakam Khan Habibi, the provincial governor, aims to counter theuse of Kaldars (Pakistani rupees) in local markets.

Saturday saw young people rallying in the city of Khost to urge the peopleto buy and sell goods using the afghanis only.

Afghanis say they face lots of problems while trading in Pakistani rupee,especially when the dollar rate increases or decreases.

Talib Mangal, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan Newslinkthata commission has been created to implement the plan to promote transactionsin afghani instead of Pakistani rupee.

“Anyone violating the decision would be referred to judicial organs,” hewarned.

However, civil society activists say the plan has failed to achieve theobjective so far.

While Afghanistan shares a common religion, race, history, ethnicity andgeography with Pakistan, bilateral relations have always been strained.Pak-Afghan trade volume, despite having a potential of $5 billion, hasfallen from $2.5 billion to $1.4 billion lately.