TV anchor found in dire state in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, sells food on street to subsist

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, June 17

Afghanistan is witnessing a complete state of anarchy since the austere Taliban made the ruling government relinquish the office unceremoniously. Apparently, the most draconian laws have been unleashed across the nation which are severely affecting the nationals. Media sector has been at the receiving end since formation of the Taliban government, as female anchors have been instructed to cover their face while on air. Moreover, talented professionals of the nation have been pushed into poverty and despair.

A recent tweet posted by a user Kabir Haqmal, who worked with Hamid Karzai government, shows how accomplished people of Afghanistan are witnessing their most substandard phase. Haqmal shared the photo of an Afghan journalist, Musa Mohammadi, who had been a part of the media sector of Afghanistan for years. Musa, however, now has been pushed so deep into poverty that he is compelled to sell food in order to make the ends meet. “Journalists life in #Afghanistan under the #Taliban. Musa Mohammadi worked for years as anchor & reporter in different TV channels, now has no income to fed his family. & sells street food to earn some money. #Afghans suffer unprecedented poverty after the fall of republic,” the caption of the post reads.

Musa’s transition story has gone abruptly viral across different social media platforms that he has started getting offers of employment in media sector. Ahmadullah Wasiq, the Director-General of National Radio and Television, took cognisance of Musa’s story and offered him a position while putting out a tweet in this context. “Unemployment of Musa Mohammadi, a spokesman for a private television station, rises on social media. As a matter of fact, as the director of the National Radio and Television, I assure him that we will appoint him within the framework of the National Radio and Television. We need all Afghan professionals,” the translated post reads.

Afghanistan is witnessing severe humanitarian and economic crisis. They have also cracked down on media outlets, with several journalists, especially women losing their jobs in the last few months.

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