Officials from a number of media outlets in Kandahar said airing female singers' songs has been banned in the province after they received a verbal order from provincial office of information and culture.

They said this move will dampen women's spirits in various sectors in the province.

"Local officials in Kandahar have verbally ordered radio channels in the province to stop airing female singers' songs," said Agha Sher Minar, head of Wranga Radio in Kandahar.

Sana, a young girl who directs social programs in a radio channel in Kandahar, said she is concerned about the decision by the local government.

"The order by Kandahar officials will affect women's roles in other sectors as well," she said.

Kandahar journalists meanwhile called on the Ministry of Information and Culture to avoid limiting the freedom of speech in the province.

"We urge the relevant organizations to defend journalists' rights to react in this regard and push the relevant offices to cancel the order," said Nasibullah Popal, a reporter in Kandahar.

"The decision by Kandahar officials is a violation of the freedom of speech and, in fact, it is silencing the voice of freedom," said journalist Abdulqawi Harooni.

Meanwhile, Kandahar Information and Culture Director Hazrat Wali Hotak said programs in a number of radio channels in Kandahar are not acceptable and that they had warned them to bring changes to their programs; otherwise, they will face legal action by local authorities.

"We have never ordered a ban on female singers' songs, but activities of a number of media outlets are not tolerable and they should bring changes to their programs," he said.

According to officials, 11 radio channels are active in Kandahar.