Taliban Criminalizes Use of the Word "Party" After Banning Political Parties in Afghanistan

The Afghan acting Ministry of Justice has announced that the use of the word "party" in the country is considered a "crime." Previously, the ministry stated that "the existence of political parties has no basis in Sharia, and their activities are not in the interest of the people." Abdul Hakim Shar'i, the acting Minister of Justice, emphasized during a press conference in Kabul yesterday that this ban on political parties remains in effect, adding that using the word "party" is a crime "under Taliban law."