PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – A former Afghan official says the father of the Orlando nightclub gunman is a native of Afghanistan who appears on a television program known for "its anti-US tirades" and "pro-Taliban" remarks.
The official says the gunman's father is Seddique Mateen and that the program is broadcast in the Dari language.
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The official spoke only on condition of anonymity because he did not want to be linked to coverage of the shooting.
Mateen is the father of Omar Mateen, who authorities say killed 50 people at the nightclub.
The official said Seddique Mateen's "Durand Jirga Show" is anti-Pakistan. The name of the show references the Durand line, the long disputed border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Seddique Mateen campaigned in the United States for current Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who appeared on his program in 2014. The program's studio has an address in Fort Pierce, Florida.
