Afghans to confiscate Pakistani newspapers

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Pakistani newspapers have been banned in eastern provinces of Afghanistan, a top Afghan security official said.

The decree by the Afghan interior ministry stops the publication and distribution of more than 10 Pakistani newspapers, Khaama Press reported.

The newspapers are published in Urdu and Pashtu. More than 2,000 copies are regularly sold in the region.

The interior ministry ordered police in Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan provinces to confiscate all copies because the newspapers "are a propaganda resource of the Taliban spokesmen," the BBC reported Saturday.

Tensions between the countries have been on the rise, with Afghanistan urging Pakistan to end shelling in the border province of Kunar.