Taliban Interior Ministry Officials Visit Paktia, Engage with Local Media
The General Directorate of Public Relations of the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior Affairs and the ministry’s spokesperson made an official visit to Paktia Province, holding separate meetings with the governor, deputy governor, and police commander of the province, followed by a joint session with local media representatives.
During the visit, Haji Mullah Abdul Hakim Hemmat Akhundzada, the General Director of Public Relations, and Mufti Abdul Matin Qani, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior Affairs, emphasized what they described as the “vital role of responsible journalism” in strengthening national unity, maintaining stability, and promoting Islamic values. They urged journalists to contribute to boosting public morale and hope by accurately reporting events and highlighting positive achievements.
This comes amid years of increased restrictions and pressures on media activities in Afghanistan, with many journalists expressing concerns about censorship, threats, and limited access to information. In this context, the Taliban officials’ emphasis on “responsible journalism” raises questions regarding the scope of media freedom and the possibility for independent journalistic work.
At the conclusion of the meeting, after hearing the views and suggestions of media representatives, the Ministry of Interior officials stressed the continuation of cooperation, comprehensive coordination, and support for professional media activities—a commitment considered essential for the country’s media community.
