Overview

• Provincial spokesman Haji Attaullah Zaid said leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered a complete halt to fibre‑optic and cable internet.
• Government offices, businesses, public institutions and households in Balkh lost Wi‑Fi service, while cellular data continues to operate.
• Zaid said an in‑country alternative would be built for essential needs, offering no technical details or timeline.
• Authorities gave no explanation for why Balkh was chosen or whether the restriction will extend to other provinces.
• This is the first prohibition of fixed internet service since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, differing from past temporary mobile network shutdowns for security reasons.