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IEA has imposed no restrictions on media in Afghansitan: deputy minister
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has imposed no restrictions on the media outlets in the country, deputy minister of information and culture said.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Ariana News, Hayatullah Muhajer Farahi, deputy minister of information and culture for broadcasting, said that media outlets can operate in the country, but should not violate the Islamic principles.
He said that the way the West defines freedom of speech cannot apply in an Islamic country.
“Broadcasting something against Islamic values, national interests and Afghanistan’s culture and tradition is not freedom of speech,” Farahi said.
On the issue of female presenters required to cover their faces, Farahi said that wearing hijab is a Sharia rule, and it applies to all women.
“Hijab is not only for women who appear in the media, it is for all women in the country. A woman going to the market should also wear hijab,” Farahi said.
The official admitted that there were some issues between the media and IEA in the early days of the government, but they are now reslved. He said that no journalist has been arrested or tortured for his work.
This comes as the United Nations Assistanee Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said last month that it recorded human rights abuses of more than 200 reporters since IEA takeover in August last year.
IEA has rejected the report.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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