Taliban Close Health Institute and Ban SIM Card Sales to Women in Bamyan

Local sources report that Taliban authorities in Bamyan province have closed the Baran Health Sciences Institute and banned the sale of SIM cards to women in Yakawlang district. They have also sealed the office of Radio Baran, halting its broadcasts.

In Yakawlang district, women are now prevented from purchasing mobile phone SIM cards. The Baran Health Sciences Institute, which had provided education to dozens of students, was shut down by Taliban forces.

Taliban intelligence personnel sealed the premises of Radio Baran, one of the oldest local media outlets in the province. The station had operated since 1382 in the solar calendar, broadcasting primarily on 89.7 FM with programs on social, health, and religious topics.

A local Taliban official attributed the radio closure to the lack of a valid work permit. Media officials had submitted multiple applications to renew the license, but the requests were rejected.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center condemned the shutdown of Radio Baran. The center noted that the outlet had repeatedly sought license renewal and warned that such measures are further restricting media freedom, which has been significantly limited since the Taliban's return to power in 1400.