Taliban Ban Pictures - The Pioneer

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A BAN on taking pictures of anyone in Kabul was imposed
yesterday by the Afghan capital's new Taliban rulers.

The Islamic militants' decree, which covers film as well as
still pictures, follows Monday's order giving all men six weeks
to grow beards or face punishment.

A similar ban is in force in the half of Afghanistan the
Taliban has controlled since last October. "According to our
religion, it is forbidden to take pictures of any human
beings," said the acting Education and Culture Minister, Amir
Khan Mutaqi. The Taliban says such pictures constitute images
that could be used for idol worship.

The ban was accompanied by tight curbs on all journalists in
the city. Mr Muraqi said: "The press can take pictures of
ruined buildings and parts of the city, although you cannot
photograph any military installations or key ministerial
buildings."

Journalists were also banned from reporting "sensitive"
incidents that could be "blown out of proportion" and used to
discredit the Taliban government.

"If a leader has a disagreement with another Taliban it does
not mean there are differences within the Taliban," Mr Mutaqi
said. He added that "journalists should not ask irresponsible
people or the people on the streets" for comments about the
government. "They should come to us."

The restrictions were announced six days after the Taliban
seized Kabul when the previous government fled the city.

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