Afghanistan, April 21 -- Sources in Balkh province say that the "Khadijah Al-Kubra" market, specifically for women in Mazar-e-Sharif city, has been closed due to the non-payment of shop rents by the market authorities.

According to sources, the market was temporarily closed on Saturday, April 20th, due to the non-payment of shop rents and water.

The monthly rent for each shop is 2,700 Afghanis, which has not been paid for the past two months.

The source further adds that the market authorities have given a 10-day deadline for women shopkeepers to pay their rents, otherwise their contracts will be terminated.

The Khadijah Al-Kubra and Rabia Balkhi markets in Mazar city cater specifically to women, with approximately 200 shops currently...