Mohibullah Mochlis, the ministry's director of planning and legislation, told a press conference that 21,328 musical instruments were destroyed last year and thousands of computer operators were prevented from selling “immoral and unethical” films in markets. In addition, 281 members of the security forces who did not wear beards were identified and dismissed as a result. The ministry took over the premises of the dissolved Ministry of Women in Kabul after the Taliban seized power in August 2021.
It has been criticized by human rights groups and the United Nations for restrictions on women and suppression of freedom of expression. The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has reported cases of ministry officials arresting women for not conforming to its interpretation of Islamic dress. The Taliban called the allegations “baseless” and said the rules corresponded to its interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan customs.
