By Kaya 959 News Reporter
A TV presenter was surrounded by Taliban fighters carrying AK-47s while he conducted an interview with one of the group’s commanders.
A video of a television anchor surrounded by armed Taliban fighters is being widely shared on social media.
A video shows Mirwais Haidari Haqdoost from Afghanistan TV sitting at a desk, with a row of Taliban soldiers behind him holding their guns close to their chests and pointing towards the floor.
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He was interviewing one of the group’s commanders, Qari Samiullah, for the channel’s special programme “Pardaz” at the time.
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Starting off the segment by introducing Mr Samiullah, the presenter goes on to explain that there has been “some criticism that there is a difference between the words and the actions of the Taliban”.
With armed Taliban fighters standing behind him, the presenter of Afghan TV’s Peace Studio political debate programme says the Islamic Emirate (Taliban’s preferred name) wants the public to “cooperate with it and should not be afraid”.pic.twitter.com/rclw3P9E7M
— Kian Sharifi (@KianSharifi) August 29, 2021
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“God willing, we will try to establish a safe atmosphere in all the provinces of Afghanistan so that the people do not worry and do not fear the Mujahideen, because they are our brothers,” he said.
According to reports the Taliban have raided the homes of at least four media workers in the country, including three employees of German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle who have gone into hiding.
“The Taliban needs to stand by its public commitment to allow a free and independent media at a time when Afghanistan’s people desperately need accurate news and information. The Taliban must cease searching the homes of journalists, commit to ending the use of violence against them, and allow them to operate freely and without interference,” CPJ Asia program coordinator Steven Butler said.



