KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture has directed domestic media outlets to describe the death of Khalil Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban’s minister of refugees, as “martyrdom,” according to sources familiar with the matter.
The directive was reportedly issued following Haqqani’s death in an explosion at the Ministry of Refugees in Kabul on Wednesday.
Saeed Khosty, a former spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior, reinforced the directive on X, warning media outlets to comply by using the term “martyrdom” in their coverage.
Reports suggest that domestic media have adhered to the Taliban’s instructions, with publications and broadcasters using the prescribed terminology in their reporting.
This incident underscores the growing restrictions on freedom of expression and the increasing pressure on Afghanistan’s media under Taliban rule. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, journalists and media outlets have faced stringent controls, censorship, and threats.
