Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture Approves Printing Permits for Several Books in Kabul
The Book Evaluation Commission of the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture, in its recent meeting, reviewed dozens of book titles and cultural documents and granted printing permits to a number of works deemed in accordance with ‘Islamic and Afghan values.’
According to a press release from the ministry’s press office, the meeting focused on a wide range of books and cultural documents. Among the reviewed materials, 16 titles comprising 121 volumes of both imported and locally produced books on various subjects were evaluated. Additionally, 20 other titles that had been referred to the commission were distributed among members for further review, with final decisions to be announced at the next meeting.
The agenda also included collections of published news and various official documents. After discussions and exchanges of opinions, the necessary decisions were made concerning these items.
The Book Evaluation Commission operates under the ministry and examines printed works content-wise before publication. The commission assesses books based on their compliance with Islamic values, cultural traditions, and applicable regulations to decide whether to issue printing permits.
In recent years, the Taliban administration has increased oversight on printed publications. Some authors and cultural activists have expressed concerns about the narrowing scope of publishing and restricted free access to intellectual resources. However, officials from the administration state that the purpose of these reviews is to protect the country’s religious and cultural values.
