KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban has suspended fiber-optic internet services in Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province, saying the move is necessary to prevent “immoral activities.”
Attaulah Zaid, spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Balkh, confirmed the decision on Tuesday, saying that it followed an order from the group’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. He said authorities are considering alternative domestic options to replace the service.
Residents in Mazar-e-Sharif, the provincial capital, reported widespread disruptions to Wi-Fi networks on Monday, particularly those provided by the state-owned Afghan Telecom. The disruptions have affected not only households but also government offices, including passport services, customs, and banks, where staff say they are struggling to carry out routine operations.
Students and teachers have also been affected. Online classes, which have become an important tool for many, particularly girls and young women barred from attending secondary schools and universities, have been severely disrupted. They say mobile data remains the only option but describe it as slow, costly, and unreliable.
So far, the restriction has only been implemented in Balkh province. But given that the order came directly from the Taliban’s supreme leader, activists warn that similar measures could be extended to other provinces. The move marks the first formal restriction on internet access since the Taliban’s return to power, raising fears of broader limitations on online activities and communication in Afghanistan.
