Afghanistan shuts down private TV channel ‘Emroaz’ over ‘anti-national’ programming

LONDON - Afghanistan has closed down a private television station ‘Emroaz TV’, owned by an Afghan MP Najibulla Kabuli, for allegedly ‘fueling religious tensions and harming national unity.” The channel recently criticised leading Shia politicians in the country for being ‘agents of Iran’.

“To create religious division or to create religious problems is against the constitution of Afghanistan. That is why the council of ministers have banned the station,” the BBC quoted,” Abdul Hakim Hashir, head of the government’s media office, said.

However, Kabuli protested against the decision on screen and urged his supporters not to let the ministry of information impose a “one-sided decision” on the station.

“I am a member of parliament. I have a political party. I am the son of Kabul not a terrorist. When the council of ministers were making this one-sided decision, they should have at least have heard my side of the story,” Kabuli said.

Kabuli had accused Second Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili of being an Iranian agent.

BBC also quoted him as saying that ‘Emroz’, which means “today” in Dari, has been trying to reveal to viewers “Iran’s interference in Afghanistan’s affairs.” He accused Iran’s ambassador to Afghanistan Fada Hossein Maleki, of putting pressure on President Hamid Karzai to take action against the station.

The ministry of information and culture and the president’s office, however refused to comment on the allegations. (ANI)