Further culling&nbsp;the freedom and choices of its citizens, the Taliban have allegedly purchased jammers from Iran to shut down independent television channels reporting on the regime's terrible ways, from reaching the masses.&nbsp;

Afghanistan International Television (AITV) - one of the most prominent anti-establishment voices in the country has been forced to shut down broadcast for over a week due to the orbital jammers blocking its satellite stations.&nbsp;

According to reports, the Taliban sent disruptive signals from a ground station to the satellite, interfering with the channel;s broadcast. Between September 5 and 13, viewers saw a blank screen on their TV sets before the channel shifted to a different satellite frequency.&nbsp;

“I had received information in August from inside Kabul that the Taliban had purchased an extremely expensive jammer with the intention of using it against us,” AITV's&nbsp;executive editor Harun Najafizada told&nbsp;The Independent.&nbsp;

“This act of orbital jamming not only attacks press freedom but also violates international standards and highlights the Taliban’s increasing efforts to dismantle free expression and restrict Afghan citizens’ access to truthful information,” added&nbsp;Najafizada.&nbsp;

The publication stated that the Taliban obtained the Iranian orbital jammers earlier this year in May, with the rather expensive purchase confirmed&nbsp;by sources inside Kabul’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), the intelligence agency of the Taliban.&nbsp;

“This interference and shutdown via orbital jammers will not be limited to just AITV but other international news channels which the Taliban doesn’t find fit under their interpretation of Sharia law, they want to implement their own state radio and television broadcast which praise the Supreme leader and his Talib ministers,” a source was quoted as saying.

Notably, after the death of 22-year-old Mahasa Amini in Iran last year and the subsequent protests, Tehran also jammed AITV's sister channel&nbsp;Iran International.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghan-taliban-responds-to-paks-fury-afghan-consulate-defends-actions-of-its-acting-consul-general-759806">Also read |&nbsp;Afghan Taliban Responds to Pak's Fury: Afghan Consulate Defends Actions Of Its Acting Consul General</a>

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<h2>Taliban to ban cricket: Reports</h2>

Having already banned women from participating in civil society by banning their education and restricting their movement outdoors, the Taliban is now coming for cricket as well - the one outlet of hope for the common Afghans.&nbsp;

According to several reports, the Supreme Leader of Afghanistan - Hibatullah Akhundzada has announced a gradual ban on cricket. However, there is no official confirmation regarding this; it is well-known that the Taliban spearheads Afghanistan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/taliban-could-now-ban-all-forms-of-cricket-in-afghanistan-reports-759060">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban could now ban all forms of cricket in Afghanistan: Reports</a>

Akhundzada is believed to be not happy with the sport due to its harmful effects.&nbsp;It is also being circulated on social media that playing cricket is against the Sharia Law.

There is a tussle between two factions in Afghanistan on the issue – one led by Akhunzada, and the other by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the brother of Anas Haqqani, who has invested heavily in Afghanistan cricket.

(With inputs from agencies)

Further culling the freedom and choices of its citizens, the Taliban have allegedly purchased jammers from Iran to shut down independent television channels reporting on the regime's terrible ways, from reaching the masses.

Further culling the freedom and choices of its citizens, the Taliban have allegedly purchased jammers from Iran to shut down independent television channels reporting on the regime's terrible ways, from reaching the masses. Afghanistan International Television (AITV) - one of the most prominent anti-establishment voices in the country has been forced to shut down broadcast for over a week due to the orbital jammers blocking its satellite stations. According to reports, the Taliban sent disruptive signals from a ground station to the satellite, interfering with the channel;s broadcast. Between September 5 and 13, viewers saw a blank screen on their TV sets before the channel shifted to a different satellite frequency. “I had received information in August from inside Kabul that the Taliban had purchased an extremely expensive jammer with the intention of using it against us,” AITV's executive editor Harun Najafizada told The Independent. “This act of orbital jamming not only attacks press freedom but also violates international standards and highlights the Taliban’s increasing efforts to dismantle free expression and restrict Afghan citizens’ access to truthful information,” added Najafizada. The publication stated that the Taliban obtained the Iranian orbital jammers earlier this year in May, with the rather expensive purchase confirmed by sources inside Kabul’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), the intelligence agency of the Taliban. “This interference and shutdown via orbital jammers will not be limited to just AITV but other international news channels which the Taliban doesn’t find fit under their interpretation of Sharia law, they want to implement their own state radio and television broadcast which praise the Supreme leader and his Talib ministers,” a source was quoted as saying. Notably, after the death of 22-year-old Mahasa Amini in Iran last year and the subsequent protests, Tehran also jammed AITV's sister channel Iran International. Also read | Afghan Taliban Responds to Pak's Fury: Afghan Consulate Defends Actions Of Its Acting Consul General × Taliban to ban cricket: Reports Having already banned women from participating in civil society by banning their education and restricting their movement outdoors, the Taliban is now coming for cricket as well - the one outlet of hope for the common Afghans. According to several reports, the Supreme Leader of Afghanistan - Hibatullah Akhundzada has announced a gradual ban on cricket. However, there is no official confirmation regarding this; it is well-known that the Taliban spearheads Afghanistan. Also read | Taliban could now ban all forms of cricket in Afghanistan: Reports Akhundzada is believed to be not happy with the sport due to its harmful effects. It is also being circulated on social media that playing cricket is against the Sharia Law. There is a tussle between two factions in Afghanistan on the issue – one led by Akhunzada, and the other by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the brother of Anas Haqqani, who has invested heavily in Afghanistan cricket. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban bought Iranian jammers to block news channels critical of regime's terrible ways

Iran's foreign minister called on the Taliban to adopt a "friendly" approach, during a meeting Wednesday of Afghanistan's six neighbouring countries to determine a "roadmap" following the Islamists' takeover of Kabul.&nbsp;

The meeting, two months after the Taliban swept to power in Kabul, brought the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to Tehran, while their Chinese and Russian counterparts joined via video-link.&nbsp;

"It is essential that the Taliban adopts a friendly approach towards its neighbours and takes the necessary measures to assure them that there is no threat to their neighbours from Afghanistan,"&nbsp;Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

"I hope that we can paint a clearer picture of the realities of Afghanistan, and the expectations of the neighbouring countries most affected by the developments in that country, and develop a roadmap."

Afghanistan is on the cusp of a humanitarian crisis in which more than half the country could face "acute" food shortages this winter, UN agencies warned on Monday.

Addressing the meeting by video link, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "We must find ways to avoid a total meltdown of the Afghan economy... and to help people survive".

Iran's First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber warned of the impact surrounding nations faced from the situation in Afghanistan.

"If no solution is found as soon as possible to control and manage the economic crisis in Afghanistan, the crisis will certainly move beyond the borders of Afghanistan and affect its neighbours and the world," he said.

Iran, which shares a 900-kilometre (560-mile) border with Afghanistan, did not recognise the Taliban during their 1996 to 2001 stint in power.

But Tehran has appeared to soften its tough stance in recent times in the name of pragmatism.

"The Islamic Republic of&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;insists on the establishment of an inclusive government with the presence and effective participation of all ethnic and religious groups in Afghanistan, based on inter-Afghan dialogue without the intervention of foreign actors," Amir-Abdollahian said.

Guterres in his address pointed to the need for inclusivity "and representative government, that respects international humanitarian law".

The Taliban formed an all-male cabinet made up entirely of members of the group, and almost exclusively of ethnic Pashtuns. It has severely restricted women's rights to work and study, prompting widespread international condemnation.

"The Taliban must play an undeniable role in assuring security, countering terrorism and respecting the rights of diverse groups, including women," Amir-Abdollahian said.

He added the Taliban must work on "providing the basic needs of Afghan citizens, putting an end to abuse of ethnic and religious minorities, eradicating the causes that led to the displacement of part of the population and respecting international law".

Iran's foreign minister called on the Taliban to adopt a "friendly" approach, during a meeting Wednesday of Afghanistan's six neighbouring countries to determine a "roadmap" following the Islamists' takeover of Kabul.

Iran's foreign minister called on the Taliban to adopt a "friendly" approach, during a meeting Wednesday of Afghanistan's six neighbouring countries to determine a "roadmap" following the Islamists' takeover of Kabul. The meeting, two months after the Taliban swept to power in Kabul, brought the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to Tehran, while their Chinese and Russian counterparts joined via video-link. "It is essential that the Taliban adopts a friendly approach towards its neighbours and takes the necessary measures to assure them that there is no threat to their neighbours from Afghanistan," Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said. "I hope that we can paint a clearer picture of the realities of Afghanistan, and the expectations of the neighbouring countries most affected by the developments in that country, and develop a roadmap." Afghanistan is on the cusp of a humanitarian crisis in which more than half the country could face "acute" food shortages this winter, UN agencies warned on Monday. Addressing the meeting by video link, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "We must find ways to avoid a total meltdown of the Afghan economy... and to help people survive". Iran's First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber warned of the impact surrounding nations faced from the situation in Afghanistan. "If no solution is found as soon as possible to control and manage the economic crisis in Afghanistan, the crisis will certainly move beyond the borders of Afghanistan and affect its neighbours and the world," he said. Iran, which shares a 900-kilometre (560-mile) border with Afghanistan, did not recognise the Taliban during their 1996 to 2001 stint in power. But Tehran has appeared to soften its tough stance in recent times in the name of pragmatism. "The Islamic Republic of Iran insists on the establishment of an inclusive government with the presence and effective participation of all ethnic and religious groups in Afghanistan, based on inter-Afghan dialogue without the intervention of foreign actors," Amir-Abdollahian said. Guterres in his address pointed to the need for inclusivity "and representative government, that respects international humanitarian law". The Taliban formed an all-male cabinet made up entirely of members of the group, and almost exclusively of ethnic Pashtuns. It has severely restricted women's rights to work and study, prompting widespread international condemnation. "The Taliban must play an undeniable role in assuring security, countering terrorism and respecting the rights of diverse groups, including women," Amir-Abdollahian said. He added the Taliban must work on "providing the basic needs of Afghan citizens, putting an end to abuse of ethnic and religious minorities, eradicating the causes that led to the displacement of part of the population and respecting international law".

Taliban should adopt friendly approach towards its neighbours: Iran

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Taliban bought Iranian jammers to block news channels critical of regime's terrible ways

Taliban should adopt friendly approach towards its neighbours: Iran