Several Kabul residents are complaining about rising liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices and the differences in its rates across the city’s markets. They say the price increase has pushed up the cost of living and made it harder for families to meet their daily needs. According to the residents, a kilogram of LPG in Kabul’s markets costs between 65, 67 and 71 Afghanis. They add that despite the price list set by the Taliban-controlled Kabul Municipality, gas is sold at different rates in the markets and there is no effective monitoring of prices. The residents say that increasing gas production and processing inside the country could reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on imports and limit the impact of developments in foreign markets on fuel prices.
Zarmina, a teacher in Kabul who supports a family of seven, says that she can barely cover her family’s living costs on a teacher’s salary, and the rise in fuel prices has put even more economic pressure on her. She adds that gas is one of the basic needs of families and its use cannot easily be set aside. According to Zarmina, the increase in gas prices has forced her to buy even a small charcoal stove so that she can cook meals that need longer cooking times over charcoal.
The teacher says: “I barely get by on a teacher’s salary, and I cannot replace gas with anything else. If the price of petrol goes up, we can stop using the car or stay at home, but we need gas for cooking and daily chores. We cook three meals a day, and we barely manage to control our gas use. Out of desperation, I have even bought a small charcoal stove to prepare the dishes that take longer to cook over charcoal. Our salary does not increase, but living costs grow every day.”
Sutoda, another Kabul resident, says that in addition to the rise in gas prices, the difference in rates across the market has also created problems for people. According to him, some supplying companies sell each kilogram of LPG for 67 afghanis, while in some local shops the price reaches 70 afghanis.
He considers the lack of effective market monitoring to be one of the factors that has allowed gas to be sold at different rates. Sutoda calls on officials to monitor the price of this fuel and take practical steps to reduce its cost.
The Kabul resident says: “In the current situation, many aspects of life depend on gas, and its price must come down. What have the people done wrong that they must bear the cost of every development in other countries? By God, we are tired; something happens in another country, but we pay the price. Afghanistan has many mines, and investment should be made in them so that people can be freed from this misery and hardship. We have the Yatimtaq and Khwaja Gogerdak gas fields; these resources should be extracted, and the gas produced should be made available to the people at a reasonable price.”
Ali Sami, another Kabul resident, says that increased gas consumption, driven by rising petrol prices and the approach of the cold season, could further affect the demand for and price of this fuel. He warns that if prices rise further, families will face even greater economic pressure in the coming winter.
Sami is calling for increased gas imports from neighboring countries and investment in domestic resources. In his view, increasing supply could help ease the pressure caused by demand, and domestic production would also reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on imports in the long term.
The young man says: “With the price of petrol, which has now risen above 90 afghanis per liter, people are trying to use gas. At the same time, the weather is getting colder, and demand for gas is rising. When demand goes up, the price of gas may also increase. As the cold season approaches, traders should increase gas imports from neighboring countries instead of raising prices, because greater supply can reduce the pressure that rising demand puts on prices. Likewise, investing in gas production from domestic sources will benefit the country in the long term.”
Asghar Gul, another Kabul resident, says that the rise in gas prices has pushed up people’s living costs and made it harder for families to meet their daily needs. He adds that LPG is used in various sectors, from cooking in homes to factory operations and transportation, and that a price increase could raise the costs of households and economic activities even further.
Asghar Gul says: “Recently, the price of gas has risen considerably and has directly affected people’s lives. People need gas for cooking at home, for running factories, and for the transportation sector. The increase in the price of this fuel has raised people’s costs, and many families cannot afford these expenses. If this situation continues, it could put even more economic pressure on people.”
Hassan, another Kabul resident, says that the simultaneous rise in electricity and gas costs has made it difficult for families to choose between energy sources. According to him, although the price of gas, which had previously reached 80 afghanis per kilogram, has now dropped to around 65 afghanis, this rate is still high for many families.
Hassan says: “Previously, the price of one kilogram of gas had risen to 80 afghanis and now it has come down to 65 afghanis, but even this price is still beyond the means of many people. The price of electricity has also doubled compared to the past. People do not know how to cover their living costs in this situation; both electricity and gas prices are high. Although some families have turned to solar power, these systems cannot meet all of a household’s electricity needs, and people still need gas for cooking.”
Afghanistan depends on imports to meet part of its fuel needs. Iran, Turkmenistan, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are among the sources of oil and gas supplies for Afghanistan. Price changes in foreign markets, transportation costs and exchange rate fluctuations are among the factors that can affect fuel prices in domestic markets.
The Taliban have previously announced that they are monitoring markets and trying to prevent excessive price increases. However, a number of Kabul residents say that LPG is sold at different rates in the city’s markets, and they are calling for more effective price monitoring. They stress that, alongside market monitoring, investment in the extraction and processing of domestic gas resources should also be a priority so that Afghanistan can reduce its dependence on imports in the long term.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
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