The Taliban has enacted a prohibition on fibre optic internet in Balkh province in northern Afghanistan to “prevent immorality,” resulting in government offices, public institutions, private businesses, and households losing Wi-Fi connectivity. Mobile internet services continue to function.
Haji Attaullah Zaid, the provincial government’s spokesman, stated that the directive originated from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. “This measure was taken to prevent immorality, and an alternative will be built within the country for necessities,” Zaid told The Associated Press. He did not specify why Balkh was singled out or whether the restriction would expand to other provinces.
This ban represents the first instance of such measures since the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Residents began experiencing connectivity disruptions in recent days. A local resident, who requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, said he initially reached out to his service provider, which cited a technical issue as the cause.
“Blocking the internet is beyond my comprehension in such an advanced era,” the resident remarked. He noted that his six-member household, including a student, depended on Wi-Fi for daily activities and education, and that mobile internet is both slow and costly, making it an inadequate substitute.
The resident also emphasized the economic consequences of the ban. He conducts business with international companies and stated that the absence of reliable internet significantly disrupts his operations. “If this ban continues, it will not only be detrimental to my business but also to others because all our business is done on the internet. We maintain relationships through it. I might have to move from Mazar-e-Sharif to another province because I cannot afford the loss,” he added.
Previously, Afghan authorities have temporarily suspended mobile networks for security reasons, such as during religious festivals, to prevent explosive attacks. However, the outright ban on fibre optic internet is unprecedented under the Taliban’s current governance, raising concerns about its wider impact on business, education, and daily life in Balkh province.
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