The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) announce Monday it has set out a new “religious guideline” for TV channels to follow.

The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said in an eight-article statement that media outlets need to adhere to Islamic regulations and values during broadcasting programs.

According to the statement, women are banned from appearing in TV dramas and female journalists and presenters must always wear an “Islamic Hijab.”

The articles of the statement are as follows:

1- The media may not broadcast TV series where women play a role.
2- Broadcasting of comedies that humiliate people are forbidden.
3- Broadcasting of movies and videos that show men’s body parts are forbidden.
4- Domestic and foreign films that are contrary to Sharia law and principles are prohibited.
5- Female journalists must observe the Islamic hijab.
6- Broadcasting serials and programs which portray the prophets are forbidden.
7- TV channels must not broadcast anti-Sharia films.
8- The media must refrain from broadcasting programs and serials in which the religion and dignity of mankind is disrespected.

Akif Muhajir, a spokesman for the Ministry, stated: “They (media) have to obey, otherwise we will see in future how to treat with them.”

Zabihullah Mujahid, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, said the IEA will not accept other views being forced on them and if the “media want to operate, it is welcome but within the framework of Sharia.”

The United Nations on Monday pushed for urgent action to prop up Afghanistan’s banks, warning that a spike in people unable to repay loans, lower deposits and a cash liquidity crunch could cause the financial system to collapse within months.

In a three-page report on Afghanistan’s banking and financial system seen by Reuters, the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) said the economic cost of a banking system collapse – and consequent negative social impact – “would be colossal.”

An abrupt withdrawal of most foreign development support after the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) seized power on August 15 from Afghanistan’s Western-backed government has sent the economy into freefall, putting a severe strain on the banking system which set weekly withdrawal limits to stop a run on deposits.

“Afghanistan’s financial and bank payment systems are in disarray. The bank-run problem must be resolved quickly to improve Afghanistan’s limited production capacity and prevent the banking system from collapsing,” the UNDP report said.

Finding a way to avert a collapse is complicated by international and unilateral sanctions on IEA leaders, Reuters reported.

“We need to find a way to make sure that if we support the banking sector, we are not supporting Taliban (IEA),” Abdallah al Dardari, head of UNDP in Afghanistan, told Reuters.

“We are in such a dire situation that we need to think of all possible options and we have to think outside the box,” he said. “What used to be three months ago unthinkable has to become thinkable now.”

Afghanistan’s banking system was already vulnerable before the IEA came to power. But since then development aid has dried up, billions of dollars in Afghan assets have been frozen abroad, and the United Nations and aid groups are now struggling to get enough cash into the country.

The UNDP’s proposals to save the banking system include a deposit insurance scheme, measures to ensure adequate liquidity for short- and medium-term needs, as well as credit guarantees and loan repayment delay options.

“Coordination with the International Financial Institutions, with their extensive experience of the Afghan financial system, would be critical to this process,” UNDP said in its report, referring to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The United Nations has repeatedly warned since the IEA took over that Afghanistan’s economy is on the brink of a collapse that would likely further fuel a refugee crisis. UNDP said that if the banking system fails, it could take decades to rebuild.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi called for the release of the country’s frozen assets on Sunday saying it belongs to all Afghans and a humanitarian catastrophe will be prevented by freeing up the foreign reserves.

“We have told the US that we (United States and IEA) are no longer in conflict. We (IEA) have not made any problems for the US after the Doha deal, so why have you (US) frozen the assets? There is no reason. Taliban [individuals] will not benefit from the money, it is related to the country’s economy and to the people,” said Muttaqi.

Over $9 billion is being held by the U.S after Washington froze Afghanistan’s foreign reserves following the unexpected collapse of the former government.

Since then, the US and its allies have also imposed strict economic sanctions on Afghanistan, which has exacerbated an already struggling, aid dependent economy.

However, the US and its allies, along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that the money will only be released once the IEA has formed an inclusive government, and ensures the rights of minorities, women and girls, and prevents terrorist organizations from planning or launching attacks against foreign countries from Afghanistan.

Economic analysts have also said that the country’s assets will not be released until such time as the IEA is recognized internationally as the legitimate government.

“The money will not be released, there are legal problems; it means that the [former] republic government that was a legal entity handed over the money to the World Bank and US. They (US and World Bank) will hand over the money once the [new] government is recognized. If this government is not recognized and not accepted to the United Nations, the money will stay frozen,” said Sayed Massoud, an economic analyst.

Afghan citizens have meanwhile called on the US and IEA to resolve the problems, adding that the main victims of the sanctions are the people.
“They (US) should talk with this government and should reach an agreement to put an end to the economic and humanitarian crisis,” said Quyyam, a Kabul resident.

“We call on the US and IEA to work to release the money, in order to bring an end to the people’s economic problems,” said Mohammad Zabair, another Kabul resident.

Last week, the IEA also sent a letter to the US Congress asking for the money to be released.