Taliban internet ban expands across Afghanistan, cutting fiber access in several provinces

An order from the Taliban’s leadership to ban fiber-optic internet across Afghanistan is expanding, cutting Wi-Fi in government offices, schools, businesses and homes in several provinces. The move, described by officials as a measure to “prevent immorality,” marks the first nationwide restriction on fiber since the group seized power in August 2021. Mobile internet remains available, and authorities say alternatives are being sought for essential needs.

On Tuesday, the northern Balkh province confirmed a Wi-Fi shutdown, with reports of severe disruption in other parts of the country. By Thursday, officials in eastern and northern Afghanistan said internet access had been cut in Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Nangarhar, and Takhar. Siddiqullah Quraishi, from Nangarhar’s Culture Directorate, confirmed the shutdown to The Associated Press. In Kunduz, the governor’s office circulated a message about the disruption in an official WhatsApp group. The Afghanistan Media Support Organization condemned the ban, saying it undermines access to information and the work of the media: “This action, carried out on the orders of the Taliban’s leader, not only disrupts millions of citizens’ access to free information and essential services but also poses a grave threat to freedom of expression and the work of the media.”

The fiber-optic network in Afghanistan runs for more than 1,800 kilometers (about 1,125 miles), and officials say approval had been given for an additional 488 kilometers (305 miles) of deployment. Last year, Enayatullah Alokozai, a spokesman for the Communications Ministry, told TOLO News that Afghanistan had a fiber network of that length and that the expansion plan had received government authorization. Until now, most Afghan provinces had access to fiber-optic services, which connect government offices, schools, businesses, and households.

Analysts and rights groups say the move could disrupt emergency communications, public services, and information flows at a moment Afghanistan is navigating multiple security and humanitarian challenges. Officials insist that mobile networks remain functioning and that alternative channels are being explored to ensure essential services continue, but the blanket nature of the ban raises questions about how civilians will access critical information and how authorities will monitor compliance.

The action marks the first time the Taliban have imposed a nationwide ban on fiber since it seized power in 2021, and it underscores the regime’s broader efforts to regulate information and public life. While authorities have framed the measure as a moral safeguard, critics warn that restricted access to online information could hamper governance, accountability, and media work, potentially isolating many Afghans from free information and diverse viewpoints. The government has said it will continue to rely on mobile connectivity for critical communications, but the disruption to fiber networks affects a wide range of services and institutions across the country.

As the situation unfolds, international observers are watching for signs of how long the ban will last, how it will be enforced across disparate provinces, and what steps officials plan to take to mitigate impacts on civilians and essential services. For now, the interruption of fiber connectivity remains a palpable reminder of Afghanistan’s ongoing digital conditioning under Taliban rule and the challenges of maintaining open communication channels in a conflict-affected environment.