Two years ago when Washington Post revealed that huge amount of illegal cash withdrawal from Kabul Bank, people warily ran to all branches of the Bank and started pulling out their money. Soon after, its reservoirs got empty and it went to the edge of complete bankruptcy.

As it was the most creditable private bank in the country and its bankruptcy could have large consequence on newly booming banking business; and since the government itself largely depended on it in terms of paying salaries of its employees and transfer of hundred millions of dollars in donation, government intervened and ensured the safety of people's deposits. However, the interference imposed huge amount of money on government's shoulder—more than seventy million dollars— but the bank started recovering.

The amount of money proposed by finance ministry for bailout sparked severe discussions and arguments among MPs and they resisted to confirm, arguing that government had no right to use public budget for bailout of private business, but meanwhile the money could hardly compensate part of huge illegal withdrawn cash by its stakeholders.

No doubt the government has tried hard to prevent the collapse of the bank and ensured the safety of costumers' deposits. However, on Monday, September 30, Noorullah Delawari, the chief of central bank, told that 186 million dollars of total illegal cash withdrawal (about a billion dollars) was paid back through cash and property. He also warned that those who fled from the country or avoided to pay would be introduced to court of law.

As Mr. Noorullah Dilawari mentioned, major part of money is withdrawn by those who have close links within the political system. Though they have been identified yet they use their wide connections and do not pay their debts back. Indubitably, banks do not keep all deposits of their costumers into their reservoirs.

They do business on the deposits. In the meantime, they always keep enough cash in order to meet the day to day needs of its customers. If it reveals that a particular bank faced major losses or does not have enough cash because someone, for instance, has withdrawn huge amount of cash, affecting the balance sheet, then there is high possibility that people may withdraw their deposits.

The situation with Kabul Bank looks graver as this economic fraud links closely with politics. Those who have withdrawn illegally must pay back; otherwise, they should be punished in accordance to the law.