The Taliban's media violations investigation commission announced on Tuesday, Apr16, 2024 that the broadcasts of "Noor" and "Barya" TV channels have been temporarily halted due to their failure to uphold "national and Islamic principles and values”.

Noor TV is owned by Salahuddin Rabbani, leader of the Jamiat-e-Islami Party, and was established in Kabul in 2007.

Barya TV, affiliated with Hezb-e-Islami, commenced broadcasting five years ago in 2019, also in Kabul. This channel typically airs speeches by Hekmatyar and news related to the party.

Recently, critical comments by Hekmatyar regarding the Taliban were broadcasted on Barya TV, drawing attention in media and social networks.

In response to the Taliban's decision on Tuesday, Habiburrahman Hekmatyar expressed his views. He stated that the Taliban objected to the "religious and Islamic" content aired on Barya TV because it espoused values different from those of the Taliban.

He remarked that the Taliban are promoting their own interpretation of religion, which, in his view, is accompanied by "superstitions”. Hekmatyar's son further noted that their [Hezb-e-Islami] interpretation of religion, advocates for "consultation, rights, education, and knowledge”.

He wrote, "Religion regards the ruler as a servant accountable to the people; it dictates that the leader must be visible among the populace, accountable to them, and transparent in managing Bayt al-mal [public wealth], which are to be audited by the people."

Hekmatyar's son says that the Taliban disregard these principles. He said that the party-affiliated television prioritises religious and national values, not those of the Taliban.