8am: After clashes erupted along the border between the Taliban and Pakistan and political tensions intensified, Pakistan shut down its borders with Afghanistan. These crossings have remained closed to commercial trade ever since. The Taliban had earlier claimed that the closures did not affect the domestic market, but many Kabul residents now say otherwise. They report a sharp rise in the price of Pakistani cement across the city. According to them, sellers have taken advantage of the situation, and the lack of market oversight by the Taliban has allowed prices to soar. As a result, the cost of each bag of cement has increased by 300 to 400 Afghanis. Residents also say that imported Iranian cement now sells at high prices, while Pakistani cement has nearly vanished from the market. When it does appear, its price often doubles. Click here to read more (external link).
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