Only the Afghan Afghani can be used in commerce.

Since the Taliban took executive control over Afghanistan, the country’s economy has been in dire straits. International businesses and interests have been withdrawing their support, not wishing to be associated with the terrorist group, with most of the money still coming in from outside being intended for humanitarian purposes.

Taliban bans the use of foreign currency across Afghanistan https://t.co/cjbEHufIU6 pic.twitter.com/UkZTJSyCbp

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 3, 2021

“We believe that it’s essential that we maintain our sanctions against the Taliban but at the same time find ways for legitimate humanitarian assistance to get to the Afghan people. That’s exactly what we’re doing,” Deputy United States Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told the US Senate Banking Committee in October.

Today, a spokesperson for the Taliban announced that going forward, Afghanistan citizens are not permitted to use any foreign currencies in their commerce, with the only acceptable currency being the Afghan Afghani.

The Taliban government bans the use of foreign currency in Afghanistan in a surprise move that could further weigh on the struggling economy https://t.co/kHi48eRnHw

— Bloomberg (@business) November 3, 2021

“The Islamic Emirate instructs all citizens, shopkeepers, traders, businessmen and the general public to henceforth conduct all transactions in Afghanis and strictly refrain from using foreign currency,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.

“Anyone violating this order will face legal action,” he added.

The US Dollar is a common currency utilized in Afghanistan’s markets, as well as in trade with neighboring countries like Pakistan. Analysts expect that this new restriction will cause the country’s economic stability to further worsen.