PULI KHUMRI (PAN): Most of the Baghlanies eke out their livelihood by working in industries, agriculture, orchards and livestock.
The booming factories offers vast working opportunities for a portion of people in the province and the economy of industrial workers seen grew up during the past year.        
In the past, 80% resident of Puli Khumri were employed in textile, Chori cement, Ghori electricity, coal, and sweets production factories, however, after the collapse of few factories due to economic recession a and political instability, the number of industrial employees reduced by 20% .
Industry:
Rohullah Yaktan, former worker of textile factory said until 1988, the textile factory was moving ahead with tandem and the factory had 2,500 workers who were paid with regular salary and everyone was happy.
He went on to say every worker in cement, sweet production and other factories were enjoying a normal life, however in the coming years the factories collapsed and the workers had to find other means of earning, which greatly affected their economic conditions.
Gul Muhammad, resident of Baghlani Jadid said his province was among the stable provinces economically because both industrial factories and agriculture sector adjusted 80% work force.
In addition, the agriculture sector contributed to the strength of economy by producing large scale crops of wheat, rice, melon, watermelon and apples, which were being exported to Kabul, Parwan, Bamyan and other places.
 
The Baghlan has seven natural reserves of coal, which includes the Karkar coal, Dih Salah, Chinarak in Nahrin district, DodKash and Ahan Dara in Puli Khumri city with two other mines in Talawa Barfak district.
The coal substance is useful for heating up homes, kiln bricks, public baths, however many said the income profit of coal mines was not transparently distributed.
Dr. Faisal Sami, member of provincial council said Puli Khumri city was an economic hub and the central government used to gain three to four million Afghani revenue monthly. He said the existing corruption in the government administration left wasted 70% revenue and effected the economy of common people.
Bazmeer, an employee of revenue department in Baghlan said his department collected 15 million Afghani annually; however, the annual income of revenue department was not indicated.
He informed since last five years the department of coal reserves and Ghori cement did not pay the taxes, despite their pending payment, the Baghlan revenue department collected 150 million Afghani revenue annually.
He went on to say the economy of Baghlan would strengthen if the government started levying taxes.
Economy:
The economy of Baghalan has improved during the last decade despite wars and mayhem that plagued the entire country. The wars paralyzed the economy and major production institutions such as power pylon construction factory, spin zar production factory, Kamaz enterprises.
Naseemah, a student of economic faculty at Hakim Sanaie University says: “The economic problems of people has reduced to greater extent. It seems Baghlan province has improved economically as compared to the past.”
She said visible changes could be seen in the lives of women because of improvement in their economy with most of them were employed by NGOs in different professions such as weaving clothes, designing clothes, and rising bees.
Baghlan education has developed to great extent. After the collapse of Taliban, many youth return to education.
NajibullahYaktan, a resident of Baghlan says: “The economy of Baghlan has improved considerably with a large number of youths have started attending schools and private universities to get themselves educated.”
He said more than 2000 individuals in Baghlan province were getting education in private higher education centers on self-finance basis.
Agriculture:
Baghlan is one of the most suitable provinces for agriculture and wheat with its were among the large scale producing crops of the country.
The rice of Baghlan is known country-wide while melon, potatoes, onions, corns, pules and fruits are also popular among people of the country.
Mohammad Usman, a farmer from Baghlan Jadid district says: “I have 100 acres land cultivable land but I could not cultivate it for years as I have no necessary equipments for cultivation,” he complained.
He estimated 100 acres of land produced 35,000 kilogram wheat in the past, however, after the cultivation of refined seeds distributed by the agricultural department, the same land produced 70,000 kilograms of wheat.
Besides agriculture, most of the people in Baghlan are associated with the profession of livestock. It is estimated that 20% people of Baghlan were nomads who owns one million animals.
Alhaj Muhammad, member of provincial council said animals were being smuggled to other provinces from Baghlan, which left negative impact on local livestock sector.
Arbab Esa, a livestock farmer in Bisiqal village of district Baghlani Jadid says: “I have 1,000 sheep and I used to sell 100 of them every year. The livestock business really improved my economic conditions to great extent.”
Everyone in our tribe has his livestock business, which is the main source of their income, he said.
Esa, a senior livestock farmer expressed dissatisfaction about the deadly animal diseases, causing loss of hundreds of animals’ lives. He urged the central authorities to take necessary steps to prevent the loss of animals.
Handcraft:
Handcraft was not a flourishing business in the past in Baghlan, however, tangible improvement has been observed in the recent past in this regard.
Azizah, a woman from Puli Khumri city says: “My husband some 20- years back and I am working hard to feed my kids since then.”
Expressing satisfaction by working in a handicraft industry, a widow with six daughters and two sons said she accommodated their economic needs through weaving and designing clothes.