Music 'faded out' in Afghanistan

Though the Taliban had not issued their policy on music, he told the Reuters Next conference that he was in contact with many Afghan musicians who had hidden their instruments and were living in fear.

"There's not an official decree banning music or music education but the practice is here," he said," he said. "Music has faded out of the air of Afghanistan."

Sarmast said as he facilitated hundreds of students and their families to flee the country and escaped himself to Portugal, the Taliban shuttered his institute and other music and arts faculties in the country.