Kabul, September 30(HS): The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has imposed a nationwide shutdown of telecommunications, resulting in a total internet blackout across the country. The move follows weeks of severing fibre-optic internet connections, which the Taliban attribute to efforts to curb immorality under their strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.

Internet monitoring group Netblocks confirmed that multiple networks were disconnected in a phased manner, severely disrupting mobile internet and satellite TV services. International news agencies have lost contact with their Kabul offices, and flights scheduled at Kabul International Airport have seen significant cancellations.This telecom blackout impacts banking operations and other businesses reliant on high-speed fibre-optic infrastructure, expected to take full effect with the reopening of commercial activities.

The Taliban have announced the shutdown will persist until further notice and have promised alternate internet access routes but have not provided specifics.Observers and former Afghan media personnel have expressed concern over Afghanistan’s near-complete digital isolation, with critics likening the country’s connectivity status to that of North Korea.

The blackout marks the latest in a series of Taliban-imposed restrictions, including bans on women’s education beyond age 12 and the removal of female-authored books from universities.

Since reclaiming power in 2021 following the withdrawal of international forces, the Taliban have tightened social controls, eliciting widespread international condemnation for undermining civil liberties and fundamental rights.This enforced digital blackout exacerbates Afghanistan’s economic and social challenges amid ongoing humanitarian crises and limited access to information.

The international community continues to monitor the situation as Afghanistan’s population faces growing isolation from the global digital landscape.

—————

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar