Pakistan, Dec. 19 -- The historic Ariana Cinema in Kabul, once a cultural landmark for Afghan film lovers, was demolished on Thursday to make way for a modern shopping mall. Built in the 1960s, the cinema survived decades of upheaval, including pillaging during Afghanistan's civil war in the 1990s, before being restored by a French-led effort and reopening in 2004.

Under the Taliban's return to power in 2021, the cinema's role shifted drastically. Films, music, and other entertainment were banned under the group's strict interpretation of Islamic law. Ariana was briefly used for propaganda screenings before being permanently closed. On Thursday, bulldozers tore down its walls amid piles of rubble, and banners at the site announced the co...