The Ministry of Information and Culture on Tuesday honored political analysts, journalists, and media officials for their effective work in carrying out their responsibilities during a gathering in Kabul.

The event was attended by Shir Ahmad Haqqani, Minister of Information and Culture, along with several other officials, political analysts, media representatives, and journalists.

Speaking at the gathering, the minister said that safeguarding the current system and maintaining security is the responsibility of every member of society.

“The stance of political analysts and the activities of the media during times of conflict play an important role in raising public awareness and fostering political understanding among the people,” he said.

He added that the interests of the Afghan people are shared and that protecting those interests is a collective responsibility.

According to the minister, the media have a duty to reflect facts clearly and convey a real and accurate image of the country to the world.

He also stated that there is no linguistic, regional, or ethnic superiority among the people of Afghanistan and that unity and brotherhood prevail in the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has described the recent U.S. decision to designate Afghanistan as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention” as regrettable, emphasizing that disputes should be addressed through dialogue.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the ministry, said that citizens of no country are detained in Afghanistan for bargaining purposes. Instead, some individuals have been arrested on charges of violating the law, many of whom have later been released after completing legal procedures.

The ministry also noted that over the past year the Islamic Emirate has taken several positive steps regarding certain American citizens as a gesture of goodwill.

The statement further highlighted Qatar’s role in facilitating dialogue between Afghanistan and the United States, stressing the importance of continued engagement and resolving issues through diplomatic channels.

Reports claiming that Qatar has asked the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to close its political office in Doha have been denied.

According to Doha News, sources at the Afghan embassy in Qatar said the claims are false and that no such request has been made by the Qatari government.

The sources emphasized that no decision regarding the closure of the office has been communicated to the Afghan side.

The IEA’s political office in Doha was established in 2013 to facilitate negotiations related to the conflict in Afghanistan.

The office later became a key venue for talks between the IEA and the United States, which ultimately resulted in the signing of the Doha Agreement in 2020.

The office has since remained an important diplomatic channel for discussions involving Afghanistan and the international community.