For Afghans living under Taliban rule, a Saturday market is a rare chance to cross the border into neighbouring Tajikistan and pick up food and household goods. The popular bazaar in the small town of Kalaikhum was shut down after the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, but it has now reopened. "We can buy clothes, sweets and tea, even construction materials. Completely different goods," says Subhanuddin Haji Qashem, an Afghan man in his 60s. "We're really happy the market has reopened." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES