RASC News Agency: Despite Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada’s explicit ban on videography, the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior, under the control of the Haqqani Network, has announced the production of a propaganda film showcasing Taliban military capabilities. Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for Sirajuddin Haqqani, revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that the film, titled “We Are Ready 7,” depicts the Taliban’s elite special forces and is set for release in the near future. This development stands in direct contradiction to Mullah Hibatullah’s decree, which prohibits all forms of filming and mandates strict media censorship. The Taliban leader had previously ordered a crackdown on media outlets, barring Taliban officials from appearing in interviews or public broadcasts.
However, the Ministry of Interior has openly defied this directive by financing and producing the film. While Qani confirmed its release, he provided no details regarding the producers or key figures behind the project. A five-minute trailer, recently published by the Taliban, showcases armed militants engaged in military drills, with the Ministry of Interior’s official logo prominently displayed. This film’s production highlights the ongoing power struggle within the Taliban, as it directly contravenes the group’s own “Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” laws, which explicitly prohibit filmmaking. These restrictions have led to the shutdown of multiple television networks, forcing some to convert into radio stations.
The Ministry of Interior’s repeated defiance of Mullah Hibatullah’s policies underscores the widening fractures within the Taliban’s leadership. Haqqani officials have consistently ignored bans on media appearances and the dissemination of images, further fueling internal tensions. The Haqqani Network, long known for its semi-independent operations and strategic autonomy, has frequently clashed with Mullah Hibatullah’s hardline ideological directives. In recent weeks, these internal disputes have intensified, signaling deepening divisions within the Taliban hierarchy.
