Taliban shuts down BBC radio broadcasts in Afghanistan.

Bangla Press Desk: The Taliban government has halted BBC broadcasts across various FM radio stations in Afghanistan. The country's Ministry of Information and Culture stated that this decision was taken temporarily due to "repeated violations of regulations."
Khubaib Ghufran, a spokesperson for the Taliban government's Ministry of Information and Culture, told local media that the decision to suspend BBC operations nationwide was made because the broadcaster repeatedly violated certain rules.
In a statement, the BBC noted that millions of people in Afghanistan rely on it for reliable news and information, adding that it is in contact with authorities to resolve the situation.
The BBC continues to provide impartial and independent news in Pashto, Dari, and English for its Afghan audience.
The British broadcaster stated that these programs are being aired via shortwave and medium-wave radio, as well as online and satellite platforms.
According to BBC data, more than 20 percent of the adult population in Afghanistan listens to its news and other programs—including educational content for girls—on a weekly basis. Due to the Taliban government's ban, girls in the country are currently unable to attend secondary school.
The BBC began its operations in the country in 1981.
After the Taliban government barred two US media outlets from operating in Afghanistan in 2022, the BBC remained the only international news organization broadcasting in the country.
Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, the government has maintained strict control over the media in Afghanistan. Music has been banned from broadcasts, and the presence of women on screen has declined; men and women no longer appear together in news reports or programs.

Although some people in the country can access social media, significant barriers to information access remain, including power shortages, high costs for internet and communication services, and low literacy rates.
BP/TD