‘Must Cooperate’: Taliban Gunmen Hijack Terrified TV Host, Ask Public To Be Unafraid

The past few weeks have been difficult as the entire world’s attention shifted to the catastrophe unfolding in Afghanistan. From the United States’ complacent withdrawal to the Taliban’s ominous  takeover of Afghanistan, shockwaves have rippled across the globe. 

Fearing oppressive repercussions at the hands of the totalitarian regime, the Afghan population has been left seeking sanctuary in places safer than the land they once called home. Thousands of Afghans wait in desperate attempts to be rescued by the United States evacuation program, after the American soldiers’ failure to bring ‘stability’ to the region. 

During their previous coup, the Taliban were notorious for cracking down on all forms of free speech. They were especially archaic and violent in their attitude towards women. Public punishments ranging from beheadings to lashings and thrashing were meted out to anyone who dared oppose them.

Just a few days back, Talibani rogues had reportedly thrashed an Afghan reporter and cameraman associated with Tolo News in Kabul and Jalalabad.

I was beaten by the Taliban in Kabul’s New City while reporting. Cameras, technical equipment and my personal mobile phone have also been hijacked
Some people have spread the news of my death which is false.The The Taliban got out of an armored Land Cruiser and hit me at gunpoint

— Ziar Khan Yaad (@ziaryaad) August 26, 2021

In a publicly surreal incident, a video that had gone viral on Twitter showed a terrified TV host, surrounded by armed Taliban militants. Confined by eight of these militants, the news anchor nervously attempts to assuage the people of Afghanistan to be ‘unafraid’ of the Islamic Emirate. 

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

Speaking in Pashto, the TV host requested people to cooperate with the Taliban and the Islamic Emirate. The program is called ‘Pardaz’ , a popular TV show of the region.

The programme is called Pardaz. In this longer video, the presenter interviews a Taliban fighter who presumably outranks the rest of the lot in the studio. The presenter switches from Dari to Pashto, which unfortunately I don’t speak.pic.twitter.com/qPWexsQd2T

— Kian Sharifi (@KianSharifi) August 29, 2021

This incident comes fresh on the heels of the Taliban’s public commitment towards a free press. In fact, twenty-four-year-old Beheshta Arghand had bravely interviewed Mawlawi Abdulhaq Hemad, a member of the Taliban’s media team. She had confronted the aide about Kabul’s situation and house-to-house searches that had been reported to be going on in the city. 

NIMA WORAZ: #Kabul Situation Discussed [Pashto]

In this program, host Beheshta Arghand interviews Mawlawi Abdulhaq Hemad, a close member of the Taliban’s media team, about Kabul’s situation and house-to-house searches in the city. https://t.co/P11zbvxGQC pic.twitter.com/Pk95F54xGr

— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) August 17, 2021

However, we have a feeling that the sight of eight armed militants flanking the news anchor may not exactly inspire the confidence intended by the rogue organisation.

This video is another reminder of the horrendous realities being faced by those who have stayed behind.

Despite the Taliban’s attempts at whitewashing their violent history, the people of Afghanistan still live in constant fear.