JALALABAD – A Taliban crackdown to “prevent immorality” is spreading throughout Afghanistan, with more provinces losing access to fiber-optic internet following the imposition of a complete ban on the technology by the country’s leader.

This marks the first time such a ban has been implemented since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, leaving government offices, the private sector, public institutions, and homes without Wi-Fi internet. However, mobile internet still remains operational. Officials are reportedly working on finding alternatives “for necessities.”

The northern Balkh province confirmed a Wi-Fi shutdown on Tuesday, with reports of significant disruption in other areas. By Thursday, internet access was reported to be cut off in the provinces of Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Nangarhar, and Takhar, according to officials in the east and north.

Siddiqullah Quraishi from the Nangarhar Culture Directorate confirmed the shutdown to The Associated Press. The governor’s office in Kunduz communicated the situation via an official WhatsApp group.

The Afghanistan Media Support Organization condemned the ban and expressed its concern.

“This action, ordered by the Taliban’s leader, not only disrupts millions of citizens’ access to free information and essential services but also poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and media work,” stated the message.

Last year, Enayatullah Alokozai, a spokesman for the Communications Ministry, informed the private TV channel TOLO News that Afghanistan had a fiber-optic network spanning over 1,800 kilometers (1,125 miles), with approval for an additional 488 kilometers (305 miles).

Most Afghan provinces have had fiber-optic services until now.