Taliban Cut Fiber Internet in Northern Afghanistan, Tightening Restrictions on Citizens

Local sources in Balkh province have confirmed that the Taliban shut down fiber internet services on Monday, September 14, following a direct order from the group’s leader

Local sources in Balkh province have confirmed that the Taliban shut down fiber internet services on Monday, September 14, following a direct order from the group’s leader.

The move has triggered widespread concern among residents and service institutions across the north.

Six Ministers Dispatched to Kandahar Reliable sources report that six Taliban cabinet ministers are preparing to travel to Kandahar to brief the leadership on the fallout from the internet blackout, carried out through the state-run Afghan Telecom network.

The suspension has not only paralyzed government departments but also cut ordinary citizens off from essential digital access.

Essential Services Paralyzed The shutdown has disrupted the operations of key offices, including the passport department and customs, leaving thousands unable to obtain urgent services.

Residents say the blackout has also dealt a blow to daily life and economic activity across Balkh.

Taliban Justification: “Preventing Immorality” The Taliban-appointed governor’s spokesperson in Balkh confirmed on the social media platform X that the order came directly from the group’s leader, claiming it was aimed at “preventing immoral practices.

” Civil society activists and journalists, however, argue that the move is designed to restrict personal freedom and block access to independent information.

Double Standards in Taliban Policy Observers note that restrictions in northern provinces are being enforced more aggressively than elsewhere.

Rules banning photographs, strict morality policing, and heavy pressure on media outlets are applied far more harshly in the north than in the southern and eastern provinces, where enforcement is lighter.

Analysts say this disparity underscores the Taliban’s dual approach to different regions of the country.

Fears of Wider Expansion Local sources warn that the blackout in Balkh may be the start of a broader campaign to shut down internet services across northern Afghanistan.

The country already ranks among the most restrictive in the world for both internet access and freedom of expression, and activists fear such measures will further erode civil liberties and citizens’ rights.

Reporter: Ali Ahmad Barati.