The Taliban government in Afghanistan has denied reports of a countrywide internet ban, citing the need to replace deteriorating fiber optic cables. This statement comes as the first official response to the ongoing communication disruptions affecting various sectors like banking, commerce, and aviation.
Recent internet shutdowns in several provinces were reportedly due to a directive from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to address moral concerns. Taliban officials clarified in a brief statement shared with Pakistani journalists via a WhatsApp group that there is no blanket ban on the internet as rumored.
The statement, also disseminated on social media, attributes the widespread disruptions to the aging fiber optic infrastructure that is currently undergoing replacement. However, no specific timeline for service restoration was provided in the announcement.
The impact of this communication blackout is deeply felt by individuals like Maruf Nabizada, who relies on the internet to stay connected with his family in Afghanistan from his new home in the Netherlands. Despite making repeated attempts to reach his relatives in Herat province, they remain offline, causing distress and uncertainty about their well-being.
Nabizada expressed concerns over the prolonged shutdown and its implications for maintaining contact with loved ones. The lack of internet connectivity has left many like him feeling cut off from vital communication channels, adding to their anxieties during this challenging time.
Furthermore, the outage has disrupted not only internet services but also telephone communications in Afghanistan, affecting essential functions such as flight operations at Kabul airport. The cancellation of multiple flights and uncertainties surrounding aviation activities highlight the broader implications of the ongoing blackout on various sectors.
Humanitarian organizations operating in the country have raised alarms about the challenges posed by the communication breakdown, emphasizing the critical need for restored connections. Organizations like Save the Children underscored the importance of reliable communications in delivering vital assistance and coordinating relief efforts effectively.
In light of these developments, efforts to address the issues with the internet infrastructure in Afghanistan are crucial to mitigate the adverse effects on both individuals and organizations reliant on uninterrupted communication services.