KABUL: Afghanistan’s aid-dependent economy is slowing markedly as Nato troops withdraw, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday, warning that violence, political instability and lack of reform threaten future growth.
GDP growth will slide to 3.2 percent in 2014, the IMF projected in its annual forecast for Afghanistan, which has received billions of dollars in funding since the extremist Taliban regime was ousted in 2001.
This is down from 3.6 percent in 2013 and a huge drop from the 14 percent growth recorded in 2012, when bumper harvests gave the economy an unusual boost.
“Over the past two years, economic activity has been affected by political and security uncertainties and the draw down of international troops,” the report said.
Heavy explosion rocks province
Kabul: A heavy explosion rocked northern Faryab province yesterday afternoon, with preliminary reports suggesting at least 31 people were killed or injured.
A local security official said the incident has taken place in Pashton Kot district and at least one civilian was killed and 30 others were injured.
The nature of the incident is not clear so far as there are conflicting reports that the blast has taken place following a suicide attack.
Militants kill
six policemen
Kabul: According to local authorities in southern Zabul province of Afghanistan, the Taliban militants killed at least six policemen who were abducted a week ago.
The officials further added that the policemen belonged to Afghan Local Police (ALP) forces were abducted while they were on their way Naw Bahar district reported yesterday.
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