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ATN celebrates 20 years of service and commitment to the Afghan people
Founded in 2005 with the vision of creating a truly national broadcaster, ATN has grown into a household name, reaching millions of viewers and listeners inside Afghanistan and in the diaspora.
Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), Afghanistan’s largest privately-owned broadcaster, is marking its 20th anniversary this year — two decades defined by resilience, service, and a deep commitment to the Afghan people.
Founded in 2005 with the vision of creating a truly national broadcaster, ATN has grown into a household name, reaching millions of viewers and listeners inside Afghanistan and in the diaspora.
Over the years, the network has become known not only for its credible news coverage but also for its investment in education, health awareness, culture, and especially sports.
“From the very beginning, we set out to serve Afghanistan — not just with entertainment, but with programming that empowers people, strengthens communities, and gives Afghans a sense of pride,” said Dr. Ehsanollah Bayat, Founder of ATN.
“Twenty years later, our mission remains the same,” he said.
A lifeline in times of crisis
ATN has consistently played a vital role during times of national disaster and tragedy, acting as both a source of reliable information and a bridge to the outside world.
After the devastating earthquakes in Herat province in October 2023 — which claimed more than 2,500 lives and displaced thousands of families — ATN deployed teams on the ground to document the destruction and convey the urgent needs of survivors.
“Our cameras were there in the rubble,” recalled an ATN journalist who reported from Herat.
“We interviewed mothers who had lost their children, families sleeping in the cold without tents, and communities crying for help. By broadcasting those voices, we were able to rally Afghans at home and abroad, as well as international organizations, to step in with aid.”
This humanitarian role is not new for ATN.
During floods, droughts, and health crises, the network has dedicated airtime to raising awareness, sharing life-saving information, and mobilizing support.
“When disaster strikes, ATN has always been there for the people,” Dr. Bayat said.
“Our responsibility extends far beyond news — it is about being a lifeline,” he added.
Championing Afghan sport
No broadcaster has done more to promote Afghan sport than ATN. The network’s coverage and investment has helped many teams and even put Afghanistan’s futsal team on the international map – which in turn has inspired a new generation of athletes.
Cricket, however, has been the crown jewel of ATN’s sports programming. Long before Afghanistan became a global cricketing powerhouse, ATN was one of the first media outlets to back the national team, broadcasting its early matches and celebrating its meteoric rise.
“Cricket brought Afghanistan joy at a time when joy was scarce,” said an ATN executive.
“We believed in the team when few others did, and today they are one of the most exciting teams in the world. That journey is part of ATN’s history too.”
Investing in knowledge and health
Alongside news and sport, ATN has also championed social causes, covering educational programs, health campaigns, and cultural shows that highlight Afghan identity and traditions.
From COVID-19 awareness campaigns to ongoing public service announcements on maternal health and literacy, the network has used its reach to improve lives.
“We see media as a tool for nation-building,” said Dr. Bayat. “Our commitment to education and health is an investment in Afghanistan’s future,” he said.
Looking ahead
As ATN turns 20, its leadership says the journey is only beginning. With technological advances transforming media consumption, the network continues to expand its digital platforms in order to reach younger audiences while maintaining its values of credibility, independence, and service.
“In a world of misinformation, Afghans need trusted voices more than ever,” Dr. Bayat said. “ATN will continue to be that voice — a voice for the people, by the people, and with the people,” he said.
For millions of Afghans, ATN has been more than a broadcaster. It has been a source of pride, a bridge in times of hardship, and a companion in everyday life.
Twenty years on, the network remains committed to its founding promise: to stand with Afghanistan, no matter what challenges lie ahead.
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Khalilzad warns Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions likely to worsen after fresh airstrikes
Former U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has warned that the latest Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan and recent violence inside Pakistan are part of a wider crisis, saying he sees no indication that the situation is about to change.
In a post on X on Thursday, Khalilzad described the Pakistani airstrikes that have killed Afghan civilians and the increasing use of force against civilians in Pakistan as “interconnected tragedies,” implying both effected by Pakistan’s establishment.
“Unfortunately, I do not see any signs of change,” Khalilzad said, adding that current indicators suggested the use of force against Pakistanis would “likely get worse” in the coming days.
His comments came after Pakistan carried out a new wave of airstrikes inside Afghanistan overnight Thursday, saying it had targeted 10 locations used to launch and store drones.
Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes were conducted in response to drones launched from Afghan territory a day earlier and described them as “deliberate, precise, calibrated and proportionate.”
Afghan officials said the strikes killed four civilians. The attacks reportedly hit locations including Kandahar, Khost and Paktia provinces. Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate authorities have denied launching the drones cited by Pakistan and have condemned the strikes.
The latest attacks follow Pakistani airstrikes earlier this week in Kunar and Paktika. Pakistan said those operations killed 28 militants, while the United Nations confirmed that three Afghan civilians — a man, a woman and a girl — were killed, with four others injured.
The renewed airstrikes come amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Kabul and Islamabad. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of allowing militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from its territory and launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Afghan authorities reject the allegations and say militancy inside Pakistan is an internal issue.
Khalilzad has previously called for a change in Pakistan’s strategy toward both its internal security problems and Afghanistan.
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Afghanistan summons Pakistani chargé d’affaires over latest airstrikes
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires to Kabul and lodged a strong protest against the violation of Afghan airspace and Pakistani military airstrikes on several Afghan provinces.
The ministry handed the Pakistani diplomat a formal protest note following the attacks on Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces on Wednesday night, which reportedly caused civilian casualties.
The Islamic Emirate strongly condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and contrary to Islamic, international, humanitarian and good-neighborly principles.
The ministry also rejected what it called baseless claims that Afghan territory was being used as a source of Pakistan’s recent security incidents.
It said using such claims to justify military action was an attempt to distort facts, mislead public opinion and conceal Pakistan’s internal failures.
The Islamic Emirate further accused Pakistan’s military leadership of avoiding commitments made to regional countries and warned that such actions could further escalate tensions in the region.
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Museum dedicated to preserving ‘Jihadi’ artefacts opens in Kandahar
The museum’s collection includes more than 100 items gathered from different locations.
A museum dedicated to preserving what Afghan authorities describe as “Jihadi artefacts” has officially opened in Kandahar, with officials saying more than 100 items have so far been collected for display.
Mufti Mohammad Tahir Ahmad, Director General for the Preservation of Jihadi Artefacts at the Ministry of Information and Culture, attended the inauguration ceremony alongside Qari Ahmadullah Saeed Khosti, Director of Registration for Jihadi Artefacts and Documents.
Mufti Inamullah Samangani, head of the Kandahar Information and Culture Department, and officials from several government departments also attended the ceremony.
According to the official responsible for preserving the artefacts in Kandahar, the museum’s collection includes more than 100 items gathered from different locations.
The collection includes weapons that officials say were captured from British, Soviet and US forces, as well as personal belongings and other items associated with people killed during Afghanistan’s conflicts over the past two decades.
Officials said efforts to collect additional artefacts would continue in order to expand the museum’s collection.
The museum is now open to visitors, according to the officials.
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