A number of media advocates warned on Saturday that hard-won freedom of speech could face challenges once foreign troops withdraw from Afghanistan.

According to them, international pressure has forced the government to support the media and freedom of expression in the country.

Media advocacy group NAI’s Chief Executive Mujib Khilwatgar stated: “Currently, the Afghan government supports the media but not for internal will, but as a result of international pressure.”

He said the Afghan media would certainly face “serious challenges by the government after the withdrawal of troops.”

The Ministry of Information and Culture, however, assured the media of the government’s support following the full withdrawal of foreign forces.

Abdul Manan Shewa-e-Sharq, the deputy minister of information and culture stated: “The Information and Culture Ministry will not allow any restrictions on freedom of speech – either now or after the withdrawal.”

This comes amid ongoing preparations by the US and NATO to withdraw from Afghanistan by September 11.

Meanwhile, CIA Director William Burns reportedly made a surprise visit to Kabul this week to discuss the withdrawal process with Afghan officials.

The Associated Press reported Saturday that two credible sources had confirmed the visit. In Washington, the CIA declined to comment when asked by AP about the director’s schedule and the agency’s role in Afghanistan.

However, a senior former Afghan security official told AP that two of six units trained and run by the CIA to track militants have already been transferred to Afghan control.

Two Afghan officials told AP that Burns quietly visited Kabul last weekend. They would not say whom Burns met with, but said some of the discussions addressed Afghanistan’s preparedness after the U.S. pullout.

Burns also reportedly reassured Afghan officials that the U.S. would continue to be engaged in counterterrorism efforts.