Afghanistan: Parwan shopkeepers see sales collapse

Afghanistan: Parwan shopkeepers see sales collapse

In the main markets of Charikar city, the center of Parwan province north of Kabul, grocery shop owners say business has slowed to a trickle. Several shopkeepers in Charikar said their daily sales have fallen sharply in recent months, reflecting what they describe as rising unemployment and shrinking purchasing power. “Before, we used to sell 5,000 or 6,000 afghanis a day ($78 to $94),” said Mohammad Elias, who runs a small grocery store. “Now i…