Taliban authorities forbid Wi-Fi usage in a specific Afghan region, asserting it is necessary to curb indecency.
The Taliban's decision to ban fiber optic Internet in multiple provinces, including Balkh, Jowzjan, and Kunduz, has sparked criticism from Afghan citizens and international organizations. The move, they argue, hinders economic development and access to information.
The leader of the Taliban who banned the fiber-optic internet connection in Jalalabad is Amir Khan Muttaqi. Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban's leader, has extended the ban to the provinces of Jowzjan and Kunduz, in addition to Balkh.
The European Union (EU) has called on the Taliban to reconsider its decision, stating that the ban could harm the country's economic and social development. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has also expressed concern, stating that the ban could negatively impact the provision of essential services, including healthcare and education.
The Taliban has not provided a specific reason for the ban in Jowzjan and Kunduz provinces, similar to the lack of information given for the ban in Balkh province. However, Hibatullah Akhundzada stated that the measure was taken to prevent immorality, but gave no further information about why Balkh was chosen for the ban or if the shutdown would spread to other provinces.
Hajji Attaullah Zaid, a provincial government spokesman, confirmed the ban in Balkh province, stating that there is no longer cable Internet access by order of a "complete ban" from Hibatullah Akhundzada. The ban leaves government offices, the private sector, public institutions, and homes in Balkh province without WIFI Internet.
Interestingly, mobile Internet remains functional in all three provinces. However, no alternative for Internet access has been announced for Jowzjan and Kunduz provinces, unlike the statement made by Hajji Attaullah Zaid about building an alternative within the country for necessities in Balkh province.
It's worth noting that Afghan authorities sometimes suspend the mobile phone network for security reasons, usually during religious festivals, to prevent detonations of explosive devices. However, Afghan authorities have not reported suspending the mobile phone network in Jowzjan and Kunduz provinces for security reasons.
This is the first time such a ban has been imposed in Jowzjan and Kunduz provinces since the Taliban seized power in August 2021. The Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has also banned fiber optic Internet in the Afghan province of Balkh, marking the first time such a ban has been imposed since the takeover.
The impact of this decision on the everyday lives of Afghan citizens and the country's economic development remains to be seen. The Taliban's justification for the ban and its potential future implications are topics of ongoing discussion and concern.
