Taliban Leader Prohibits Public Criticism of Edicts in Audio Release

In a recently released audio message believed to be from Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban's supreme leader, public criticism of the group's decrees is declared forbidden.

The message refers to ongoing protests against Taliban policies and orders the group's forces to quell these dissentions.

Mullah Hibatullah stressed the importance of unity within the group, asserting that internal discord could lead to the collapse of the Taliban regime. He advised members and supportive clerics to avoid discussing divisive issues.

The exact date and location of this speech are not confirmed. This audio was shared on social media by Hedayatullah Hedayat, deputy of the Taliban-controlled national radio and television, who claimed it was from a recent Wednesday.

Several Afghan media outlets have also broadcast excerpts from this message.

In the recording, Mullah Hibatullah states, "No one should ignore the Emirate's [Taliban's] decrees. Opposition to these decrees must not be permitted." He encouraged Taliban members to highlight only the positive aspects of the group's orders and directives, cautioning that negative aspects could be exploited by adversaries.

He specifically prohibited the public expression of criticism against Taliban policies, instructing, "If there are objections to the Emirate, avoid publicly discussing the Emirate's faults."

There have been prior reports of internal disagreements among senior Taliban officials over policies such as the ban on girls' education, which has further isolated the regime. Notably, certain high-ranking Taliban figures have reportedly challenged these policies.

Hibatullah Akhundzada also referred to Western support for a democratically elected government in Afghanistan, criticising such influences. He asserted that the world attempts to turn people against Sharia by promoting democracy and stressed that the group members should advocate for Sharia, as Western influence has corrupted people's minds for the past century.

He reaffirmed his belief that all decisions and actions of the Taliban are beneficial to the Afghan populace.