The head of the Taliban has prohibited fibre optic internet access in a province of Afghanistan, claiming it is to "stop immoral behavior," according to a representative from the government on Tuesday.
Cable internet connectivity has been completely prohibited in the northern Balkh region, as stated by the spokesperson, under the directive of leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
This is the initial instance of such a restriction being implemented since the Taliban took control in August 2021.
It disrupts government offices, the private sector, public institutions, and residences in Balkh by removing Wi-Fi access. Nevertheless, mobile data remains operational.
"This step was implemented to deter immoral behavior, and a replacement will be constructed domestically for essential needs," stated Haji Attaullah Zaid, a spokesperson from the provincial administration.
He provided no additional details, such as the reasons behind selecting Balkh for the restriction or whether the closure would extend to other regions.
A local from Balkh observed some internet problems a few days back at his residence and reached out to his service provider, who informed him it was a technical problem that would be fixed.
"Blocking the internet is something I can't understand in this advanced age," said the resident, who wished to remain anonymous due to fears of Taliban retaliation.
He mentioned that he seldom utilized mobile data due to its sluggish speed and high cost.
A swift and reliable internet connection was also crucial for his job, he mentioned, as it involved interacting with individuals and organizations based outside Afghanistan.
"I may need to relocate from Mazar-e-Sharif (the capital of Balkh) to a different province as I can't bear the loss," the person stated.
Government officials in Afghanistan occasionally shut down mobile phone services for security purposes, typically around religious holidays, to stop the detonation of explosive items.