On May 8, Afghanistan International reported that the Taliban is cracking down on active parties in Afghanistan, intensifying efforts to silence dissent. Notable among the targets is Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezb-e Islami party. Hekmatyar, once supportive of the Taliban, has become increasingly critical due to their power monopoly, restrictions on women's rights, and suppression of the press. In March 2024, the Taliban ousted Hekmatyar from his government-funded residence, prohibiting his Friday sermons and preventing his party members from meeting him at his new residence in Kabul.