Kalai-Khumb Market Reopens, Offering Lifeline to Afghans Under Taliban Rule

The Saturday market in Kalai-Khumb, Tajikistan, has reopened, allowing Afghans living under Taliban rule to cross the border and purchase essential goods. Despite Tajikistan designating the Taliban as a terrorist organization, the market has resumed operations, providing a rare, vital opportunity for Afghans to access vital supplies.

Located in a deep mountain gorge along the Pyandzh River, the market sells a wide range of products, including clothes, sweets, tea, construction materials, wool rugs, saffron, washing powder, and chickens. The rare, vital, border Pyandzh River marks the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, with the Tajik flag flying on the northern bank and the Taliban flag on the southern bank.

The market was initially shut down in 2021 after the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan. The closure had a significant impact on the local economy, with fewer than 10 points of cross-border trade along the 1,350-kilometer (840-mile) border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Subhanuddin Haji Qashem, a 60-year-old Afghan who crossed the border to stock up on essentials, expressed his relief at the market's reopening. "Here we can buy clothes, sweets and tea -- even construction materials," he said. "We're really happy the market has reopened."

The market's reopening is significant for Afghans living under Taliban rule, who face limited access to essential goods. The market, which had been open since 2004, was forced to close due to COVID-19 and the rare, vital, border political instability in Afghanistan.

Dilovar Kosimi, a Tajik local official, explained the market's history. "The market had been open since 2004 but it had to close due to Covid and the political instability in Afghanistan," he said.

The market is located in Tajikistan's eastern Gorno-Badakhshan region, surrounded by the peaks of the Pamir mountain range, which soar to over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). The reopening of the market is a significant development for the local economy and provides a rare, vital opportunity for Afghans to access essential goods.

Bahram Rahimi, an Afghan stall holder selling dried fruits, described the impact of the market's closure. "The closure was a really harsh blow," he said.

The reopening of the Saturday market in Kalai-Khumb is a significant development for Afghans living under Taliban rule, providing them with a rare, vital, border opportunity to access essential goods and support the local economy.

Key Takeaways

• The Saturday market in Kalai-Khumb, Tajikistan, has reopened for Afghans to buy essential goods.
• The market was closed in 2021 after the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan.
• The reopening provides a rare opportunity for Afghans to access vital supplies.
• The market sells a wide range of products, including clothes, sweets, and construction materials.
• The reopening is significant for the local economy and Afghans living under Taliban rule.