The Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has arrested several social media users, accusing them of engaging in “illegitimate” online activities.
The arrests mark a continued crackdown on digital content deemed inappropriate under the group’s strict interpretation of Islamic values.
Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, a spokesperson for the ministry, released videos of two detained TikTok users expressing regret for their actions. One of them, known online as “Haroon Pakora,” appears in what seems to be a forced video confession, stating he was detained for speaking with women during TikTok livestreams. In the video, he pledges not to interact with women again and urges women in Afghanistan and abroad not to join his live broadcasts.
The circumstances under which the video was recorded remain unclear. Some social media users have alleged that the Taliban shaved Haroon’s head during his detention.
Khyber urged content creators to use social media platforms for “education, reliable news, and legitimate business,” warning that activities involving ideological deviation, insults, ethnic discrimination, or behaviour contrary to religious values are considered crimes.
Meanwhile, Taliban intelligence forces in Baghlan province arrested another prominent TikTok user, Sher Ali Mubarez, on Tuesday, 13 May. Mubarez was known for hosting live entertainment programmes featuring humour and satire. He was detained on charges of “inappropriate activity” on social media.
The ministry reiterated that “no one has the right to use social media for inappropriate and immoral purposes.” On the same day, it declared that the “illegitimate use of social media is subject to legal prosecution.”
In 2023, the Taliban banned the use of TikTok and PUBG in Afghanistan, claiming the apps were corrupting the country’s youth. Despite the ban, TikTok remains widely popular, particularly among younger Afghans.
With traditional job opportunities having largely vanished under Taliban rule, many young people in Afghanistan have turned to platforms like TikTok and YouTube to earn a living. However, growing restrictions and increased enforcement by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice threaten to eliminate one of the few remaining sources of income for Afghan youth.
