The Taliban leaders of Afghanistan have banned fibre optic internet in an Afghan province to prevent immorality. A person from their administration told international media on Tuesday about the ban. It’s the first time a ban of this kind has been imposed since the Taliban seized power in August 2021.

All government officers, private sector buildings, public institutions, and private houses in the north Balkh region are without internet or Wi-Fi. However, mobile internet remains functional.

Haji Attaullah Zaid, a provincial government spokesperson, stated that there was no longer cable internet access in the province by order of a complete ban from the leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

What is the Taliban?

The Taliban is an Islamist militant group, started as a political movement in Afghanistan in the early 1990s. The name ‘Taliban’ comes from the Pashto word ṭālib, meaning “student,” as many of its early members were students of religious seminaries in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The group seized power in 1996 and ruled most of Afghanistan until 2001, enforcing a strict interpretation of Islamic law that severely restricted women’s rights, banned music and media, and imposed harsh punishments. But, after the 9/11 attacks on US’s Twin Tower, U.S.-led forces ousted Taliban rule for sheltering al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, reported mastermind behind the attack.

Regrouped as an insurgency, Taliban fought Afghan and international forces for two decades. In August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan and re-established their Islamic Emirate. Today, they govern the country under conservative laws while seeking international recognition despite widespread criticism of their policies.