Fourteen people were arrested in northern Afghanistan after authorities discovered they were playing music and singing during a private gathering.
The incident took place in the capital of Takhar province and was confirmed by local police in a statement released on Saturday.
The arrests happened Thursday night when police said the group held the event in a residential home. Authorities claimed the gathering disrupted the surrounding neighborhood and went against the Taliban’s rules.
Since taking back control of the country in 2021, the Taliban has brought back strict measures, including a complete ban on music. These rules are similar to those enforced during their previous regime from 1996 to 2001. Under the current restrictions, music is not allowed in public spaces such as weddings, restaurants, or even inside vehicles. Media broadcasts have also been affected, with music being completely removed.
The Taliban views music as harmful to moral values and has shut down music schools, destroyed instruments, and banned public performances. Those who once worked as musicians have been encouraged to focus instead on religious chants or Islamic poetry. As a result, many artists have either stopped performing or left the country in search of safety and income elsewhere.
Although music is still occasionally played in private, especially in women-only environments, it now comes with serious risks. The arrested individuals are currently under investigation, and authorities have not said what charges, if any, they may face.
The crackdown reflects the continued tightening of personal freedoms in Afghanistan, as many citizens struggle to adapt to life under the Taliban’s renewed rule.