Afghan television's Peace Studio recently presented a video message in which a man appearing to be the host of the show urges the Afghan populace to "cooperate with it and should not be afraid," while Taliban militants stand behind him, holding guns to his head.
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
With armed Taliban soldiers standing behind him, the terrified presenter of Afghan TV's Peace Studio political debate program warns the public that the Islamic Emirate (Taliban's preferred name) wants them to "cooperate with it and should not be afraid"
Freedom of the press today in Afghanistan means you are free to read out the Taliban script while over your shoulder stand crazed-looking Jihadis with guns. https://t.co/qNPJXipdjJ
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) August 29, 2021
The host of the Peace Studio TV show can be seen standing in front of two Taliban fighters who are dressed in tactical gear and appear to be armed with loaded deadly weapons. The host is not but can be heard urging his audience to "cooperate with the situation."
This incident took place just over a week after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan just before the United States was scheduled to complete its troop withdrawal from the country, according to The Associated Press (AP).
This is #Afghanistan’s new state TV. Deranged-looking Taliban gunmen standing behind the anchor. “Peace Studio” sign above them. Beyond Orwellian. Not just propaganda, it’s terror. Meanwhile Biden admin is (still) politely asking Taliban to show good behavior. Unconscionable. https://t.co/32dukrBXur
— Mariam Memarsadeghi (@memarsadeghi) August 29, 2021
