Taliban imposes total ban on fibre optic internet in northern Afghanistan

17 Sep 2025 20:30

1034619
World
Share

Taliban imposes total ban on fibre optic internet in northern Afghanistan

Photo: AP

The Taliban has banned the use of fiber optic internet in an Afghanistan province, citing concerns about "preventing immorality."

Government offices, the private sector, public institutions, and homes across the northern Balkh province are now disconnected from Wi-Fi internet after the ban, although mobile internet was still functional as of Tuesday, News.Az reports citing Sky news.

Haji Attaullah Zaid, a provincial Taliban government spokesman, said the "complete ban" of cable internet was ordered by Afghanistan's Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Mr Zaid added that the measure "was taken to prevent immorality, and an alternative will be built within the country for necessities".

It's unclear why Balkh province was chosen for the ban, or if the shutdown would spread to other provinces.

Local news outlet, Afghanistan International, reports that the fibre optic internet ban will be nationwide and is already in effect in the Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand and Nimroz provinces.

News.Az