During his Eid speech at the Afghan presidential palace, Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund called on religious clerics and scholars to safeguard and defend the group’s rule.

“We must not allow the light of the Islamic regime to be extinguished,” Akhund said, emphasising the need to protect what he described as the foundations of an Islamic system.

He accused the media of spreading “false judgements” about the Taliban and claimed the group’s achievements are being deliberately downplayed. While acknowledging existing challenges, Akhund urged citizens to remain vigilant and not allow adversaries to undermine the regime.

The Taliban leader also encouraged the public to “value the Sharia-based system and the security it brings.”

His remarks come amid mounting criticism from both domestic and international observers over the Taliban’s crackdown on the media and freedom of expression since returning to power in 2021.

According to multiple reports, dozens of media outlets have been shut down over the past four years, and hundreds of journalists have been threatened, detained and forced into exile.