Taliban Ministry Hosts Seminar in Panjshir Emphasizing Unity Amid Media Restrictions
The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture held a one-day seminar in Panjshir Province, calling on journalists and cultural activists to stand against what it described as “rumors and biased propaganda,” and to actively contribute to strengthening national unity and highlighting the administration’s achievements.
According to Bakhtar Agency, Mawlawi Hayatullah Muhajir Farahi, Deputy Minister for Publications, urged the media to publish “accurate” information and to participate in explaining and promoting the directives of the Taliban leadership. He also claimed that Pakistani military forces have repeatedly violated Afghan airspace and that the Taliban administration has responded “at the appropriate time.”
He further stated that, for the first time, planned air operations from Afghan soil have been conducted against targets inside Pakistan, which he called a sign of the country’s strengthened defensive capabilities. These claims come without any independent or verifiable details being provided about the operations, while free media access to security information remains severely limited.
Qari Khabib Ghafran, Head of Public Relations and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, also emphasized the role of the media in preventing “division” and safeguarding Islamic values. He requested journalists to publish documented news in order to foster a spirit of hope within society; a call that faces serious questions amid widespread media restrictions.
Mawlawi Nasrullah Malekzada, Head of Information and Culture in Panjshir, described the seminar as a step toward enhancing the professional capacity of journalists. Several other local officials and ministry advisors underscored the support for the “Islamic system” by the media and the importance of reflecting the Taliban administration’s achievements.
This comes at a time when many journalists have spoken about work restrictions, censorship, and increasing pressures following the Taliban’s return to power. Some media activists view such seminars more as efforts to align the media with the official narrative rather than genuine initiatives to expand professional capacities.
