KABUL (Dispatches) -- The Taliban have suspended fiber-optic internet services in Afghanistan’s Balkh province, citing the need to prevent “immoral activities.” 
The move, which began in Mazar-i-Sharif, was confirmed by Balkh governor spokesperson Attaulah Zaid. He said the decision followed a direct order from Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Local telecom providers, including Afghan Telecom, said they were ordered to cut Wi-Fi access across the city. The shutdown has affected households, businesses, and key government offices, including passport services, customs, and banks. 
Students and teachers, especially girls relying on online education due to school bans, report severe disruptions. Mobile data remains the only option, but it is slow, expensive, and unreliable.
Sources inside the telecom sector say the Taliban began suspending fiber-optic services nationwide about 20 days ago. Companies reached out to the Ministry of Communications for clarification but were told the directive had come directly from Kandahar, where Akhundzada resides. 
A delegation of Taliban officials is reportedly set to travel there to stress the importance of high-speed internet for key infrastructure projects like the TAPI pipeline.
Officials say the restrictions are part of a broader effort to curb apps like TikTok and PUBG, as well as access to adult content. However, telecom companies previously warned that filtering tools were costly and largely ineffective. Frustrated by providers’ inability to enforce these restrictions, Akhundzada appears to have opted for a complete shutdown.
Average internet speeds have dropped from 40 Mbps to just 4–6 Mbps on mobile networks. Analysts warn that this policy could further isolate Afghans, damaging education, business, and access to information. Although currently limited to Balkh, activists fear the shutdown may be implemented across other provinces, marking a new chapter in Taliban internet control.