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Government seeks to impose restrictions on Media
A number of Afghan media officials declared that the government is trying to impose to put pressure and impose restrictions on media.
They stated that several officials of media outlets summoned by the ministry of information and culture is contrary to the constitutions and considers the beginning of restrictions on media.
Simultaneously with the beginning of May 3, World Press Freedom Day, the ministry of information and culture summoned officials of four newspapers due to alleged of violation of media.
Nazari Paryani, director of Mandegar newspaper said, “The threatening written to four newspapers in the World Press Freedom Day indicates that the government is trying to implement the rule of violence on media outlets.”
“The ministry of information and culture’s action that summoned officials of four newspapers is alarming and putting pressures on media outlets may cause the return of past.” Muhammad Jawad Sultani, director of Jame Baz newspaper said.
Meanwhile, Afghan media watchdog; Nai-supporting open media in Afghanistan warned that any pressure and censorship by the ministry of information and culture would harm the freedom of speech in Afghanistan.
The watchdog also considered the activities of complaint commission of media contrary to the constitutions.
“While the minister of information and culture must prepared a large program for the World Press Freedom Day, but unfortunately, he summoned officials of several media due to accusation of media violations which is a threat against media by the government itself,” Sidiqullah Tawhidi, head of Supporting Open media in Afghanistan said.
In the meantime, the executive officer, Abdullah Abdullah called for the clarification of media officials summoned by the ministry of information and culture.
Press freedom is one of the important achievements of the past ten years of current government of Afghanistan, which has been obtained with the involvement and support of the international community.
Now that the gradual withdrawal of the international troops are speeding up and the talks with the Taliban, who from the roots of their believe are against the freedom of speech and media activities, is getting serious, it puts the press freedom in an awkward position and uncertain future.
The number of mass media is growing remarkably every year. Most of these media are dependent on the international donor funding in one way or another.
Ten years after the involvement and presence of international community in Afghanistan, the deadly incidents and violations against reporters and media personnel are about the same as it was in the first years of post Taliban. Media activists in Afghanistan still face serious challenges.
Although media outlets have proliferated in the private sector in Afghanistan, the Afghan press is hobbled by insufficient security, lack of access for their investigations, serious revenue and funding shortfalls, stalled legislation for freedom of the press, change-wary socio-cultural norms that tend to undercut the wide dissemination of news and skirt in the presentation of scientific/technological and foreign information.
Media have managed to produce serious talk shows about the topics of great importance the country is currently facing. The non-government media monitor and observe the situation via their round table discussion programs.
These programs usually criticize the government activities, the policies of involved countries into Afghanistan affairs as well as the policies of the international community.
Discussing the mentioned topics, unveiling the wrongdoings of government and international community, disclosing the involvement of high ranking government officials in corruption and exposing the irregularity and hidden secrets of the society are among the main positive achievements of media in the past ten years in the country.
Reported by Rafi Sidiqi
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Severe rainfall and natural disasters cause heavy casualties across Afghanistan
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway.
The Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, has confirmed widespread devastation across the country following a series of natural disasters and heavy rainfall. The toll continues to rise as authorities assess the damage.
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway. The disaster has also led to the destruction of 2,448 homes, leaving thousands displaced, while 26,841 acres of agricultural land have been severely damaged. In addition, the storm claimed the lives of 1,045 livestock animals, further exacerbating the already dire situation for rural communities.
In a statement, Mujahid emphasized the ongoing relief efforts. The Islamic Emirate is mobilizing all available resources to assist the hardest-hit regions and ensure the swift recovery of affected communities. The focus remains on providing immediate aid, including shelter, medical supplies, and food, while also beginning the long-term process of reconstruction and recovery.
Authorities have urged citizens in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant as more rain is forecast, adding to the urgency of the ongoing relief operations.
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Afghan citizens reported among casualties in US, Israeli attacks, Iran says
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
Iran’s Embassy in Kabul, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, has stated that a number of Afghan citizens were killed or injured during what Tehran described as a 35-day military campaign carried out by the United States and Israel.
According to the statement, the Afghan nationals were living in Iran at the time of the attacks. Baghaei referred to them as “honored guests” of the country, adding that some lost their lives while others sustained injuries during the reported strikes.
He did not provide specific figures regarding the number of Afghan casualties or further details about the incidents.
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
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Save the Children: Nearly one Afghan child killed or injured daily by explosive remnants
Despite the efforts of aid organizations and demining groups, the scale of the contamination remains overwhelming.
Save the Children has issued a stark warning, revealing that nearly one Afghan child is killed or injured every day by explosive remnants of war (ERW). In its latest report, the global humanitarian organization emphasized the ongoing and deadly impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance scattered across the country, a legacy of decades of conflict.
From January 2025 to January 2026, 338 Afghan children were killed, injured, or permanently disabled by explosive remnants. Shockingly, children represented nearly 70 percent of all casualties from such explosions during this period. Save the Children’s report underscores that Afghanistan continues to have the highest number of child casualties due to explosive remnants worldwide.
The report highlights that vast swathes of Afghanistan remain contaminated with hazardous materials, with more than 2.7 million people – including many children – living within one kilometer of these dangerous zones. These hazardous areas, often located in fields, pastures, and farmlands, remain uncleared despite ongoing demining efforts. Afghanistan is now considered one of the most contaminated countries globally, with nearly 5,000 hazardous sites still awaiting clearance.
The danger is particularly acute for rural and nomadic communities, including the Kuchi, who traverse long distances in search of water and grazing lands. These communities face severe challenges in accessing healthcare, education, and protection services, further compounding the risks posed by unexploded devices.
To address the growing threat, Save the Children has launched mobile awareness programs aimed at teaching children, particularly in remote and underserved regions, how to identify and avoid explosive hazards. These programs are crucial in helping to reduce the number of child casualties, as children are often unaware of the dangers in their environment.
Despite the efforts of aid organizations and demining groups, the scale of the contamination remains overwhelming. Funding shortages continue to hamper the progress of clearance operations, leaving families and children exposed to the deadly remnants of past conflicts.
“Explosive remnants of war are not just a legacy of Afghanistan’s past; they are an ongoing humanitarian emergency that continues to claim innocent lives,” said Save the Children. “The international community must step up its support to ensure the safety of Afghan children and accelerate efforts to clear these life-threatening hazards.”
As the country struggles to recover from years of conflict, the need for comprehensive and sustained demining operations, alongside better access to education and healthcare for at-risk communities, has never been more urgent.
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