News without heavy makeup and with covered heads

Afghan journalists have expressed annoyance over the request of the Afghan government to avoid heavy make-up and wear headscarves, saying the move was proof authorities expected the Taliban to reclaim a share of governance.

In a letter circulated to media, the Afghan Ministry of Culture and Information said it had received complaints from members of parliament and their families that female journalists were not following Islamic norms and values.

Afghan Minister Sayed Makhdoom Rahin quoted by Reuters, “All female news presenters must avoid heavy make-up and wear a headscarf”. In his view all the journalists working whether in public or private TV channels will have to follow the rules.

It was quite a surprising demand for some media professional, particularly the women. Zarghoona Roshan, a local journalist quoted as saying, “Since we are at the beginning of serious peace and reconciliation talks, the government wants to show they are like the Taliban”.

She further stated that the demand itself is ineffective and useless. In her view, around 120 female TV presenters will be in pressure after this request.

Abdul Mujeeb Khalvatgar, a director of Nai was of the opinion that the government had been thronging pressure over the past year to confine material to keep the public away from the realities they required.

He lamented, “We have concerns, fears, that this pressure is the beginning of media limitation and this is because of the Taliban. They are paving the way for them”.

Citing the examples of pressure over the last year, he included two incidents including preventing a Turkey-based soap opera journo from being aired and throwing acid on a renowned Afghan lady.

The plight of the Afghan women remained severe and uncertain future despite they have gained back their basic rights in education, work, voting what were toppled back in 2001.

It is a big question that what will happen to women’s rights after the foreign troops return back to their native countries.

The U.S. officials, according to their claims, wanted to enhance the speed of the negotiations with the Taliban as they could announce new policy on NATO summit.

They have been seeking peace negotiations with the Islamist group threw out over a decade ago as a means to ensure strength after foreign combat troops leave, though the talks are in a very frail condition.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=12911

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Feb 16 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.