The
change, which sets a monthly limit on withdrawals of $1,200 or
100,000 afghani, came amid growing economic hardship that has
left millions in Afghanistan without work and facing hunger.
Even those with savings have struggled to pay for food and
household necessities because of the strict limits on
withdrawals that were brought in to prevent a run on banks.
Afghanistan's foreign exchange reserves have been restricted
following the victory of the Taliban over the Western-backed
government in August, severely limiting the new administration's
room for financial manoeuvre.
Some $9.5 billion in central bank reserves remain blocked
outside the country and international support given to the
previous government has dried up.
This week, the Taliban government banned the use of foreign
currencies for transactions like buying a car or a house, saying
all contracts must be denominated in the afghani currency.
(Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Peter Graff, Robert
Birsel)
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