The Taliban administration has significantly expanded its restrictions on internet access across Afghanistan, severing fiber-optic connections in multiple provinces in what officials describe as a campaign against "vice." The move, ordered directly by Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, has effectively shut down high-speed internet in several regions over the past two days, leaving tens of thousands without reliable connectivity and sparking concern among residents and businesses.
Official Justification
According to provincial spokesman Attaullah Zaid, the complete ban on fiber-optic internet in northern Balkh province was implemented to "prevent vice," with promises that alternative connectivity options would be established to meet essential needs. The restrictions have since expanded to include northern provinces such as Badakhshan and Takhar, as well as southern regions including Kandahar, Helmand, and Uruzgan. Government officials cited recent studies claiming that online applications have negatively affected Afghanistan's economic, social, cultural, and religious foundations, leading society toward moral corruption.
Impact on Daily Life and Economy
The fiber-optic shutdown has severely disrupted daily life and economic activities across affected provinces. A marble contractor in Kandahar reported that inability to communicate with international clients in Dubai and India threatens his business survival, stating, "If these connection problems are not resolved, we will suffer great losses". Residents now rely exclusively on mobile internet, which they describe as slow, expensive, and unreliable. The ban has particularly affected women and girls who depend on online education opportunities amid the Taliban's restrictions on formal schooling.
Afghanistan's Past with Internet
The now-disabled fiber-optic network was a priority project of previous US-backed governments, spanning approximately 9,350 kilometers and representing a significant investment in connecting Afghanistan to the global digital infrastructure. Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban have implemented numerous restrictions aligned with their interpretation of Islamic law, though this represents their most comprehensive internet limitation to date. Previous internet suspensions were typically limited to mobile networks during religious festivals for security reasons.
The International Response
Provincial officials indicate expectations of nationwide implementation "in the coming days". The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned the restrictions as "an unprecedented escalation of censorship" that undermines journalists' work and the public's right to information. The move has drawn criticism from former US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, who noted that content filtering would address moral concerns more effectively than complete shutdowns.