Local Taliban officials in Panjshir province have announced that for the first time, emeralds extracted from the province's mines will be auctioned in the capital, Kabul. The auction is scheduled to take place at the Afghanistan International Exhibition Center.
Mohammad Agha Hakim, the Taliban's governor for Panjshir, described the event as a significant opportunity to showcase Panjshir's mineral capacities to both domestic and international merchants. The auction is planned for Thursday, October 29, and is expected to attract numerous buyers.
Panjshir's emerald mines, which are world-renowned, represent a major source of revenue for Afghanistan. Since the Taliban returned to power, the extraction and sale of these precious stones have continued under their supervision. Taliban officials claim that the value of emeralds sold from Panjshir this year has reached nearly 400 million Afghanis (approximately $6.12 million).
However, investigative reports have questioned the transparency of this process. A previous report by Afghanistan International indicated that a large portion of the emerald extraction is controlled by contractors with direct links to the Taliban, with the process overseen by the group's forces.
An informed source told the media outlet that less than half of the extracted emeralds make their way to official auctions, with a significant portion being sold through informal channels at undisclosed prices. According to the source, despite the substantial revenues, the industry has not had a significant impact on improving the local economy for the people of Panjshir.
The Taliban's official announcements typically lack details regarding base prices, the competitive bidding process, and the criteria for valuing the stones. There is also no clear indication that these precious stones are assessed by independent experts prior to being sold. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about the management of the country's natural resources.
Source: Afghanistan International
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