BBC conditionally allowed to operate in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Ministry of Information and Culture officials during a meeting with BBC South Asia head conditionally allowed the British news organization to continue its activities in Afghanistan.

“If the media outlet wants to continue its activities in Afghanistan, it should refrain from publishing news and rumors that harm unity among the Afghan people,’ Mualvi Atiqullah Azizi, Deputy Director of Arts and Culture at the ministry, Mualvi Ziaul Haq Haqmal, Director of Broadcasting and Dr. Abdul Wahid Ryan, Head of Media Monitoring, told Jacky Martens, BBC South Asia bureau chief, yesterday.

The Ministry of Information and Culture quoted Haqmal as saying on its X page that if the BBC wanted to continue its activities in Afghanistan, it should not spread news and rumors that caused prejudice and disunity among Afghans.

The Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture said the Islamic Emirate was a supporter of the media, journalists and freedom of speech in Afghanistan as per Islamic values.

He said all media organizations should respect religious and national values ​​of Afghans and should reflect the facts. He said the BBC with a long history of broadcasting for Afghanistan, must pay attention to the sensitivities and characteristics of the Afghan society.

Jacky Martens said ‘these shortcomings’ would be considered and talks would be held with BBC officials to solve the problems.

The BBC closed its office in Kabul after the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan.

ma