The first five-day Information Technology and Telecommunications Exhibition in Kabul concluded with the signing of nearly 30 contracts and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) valued at $10 million. During the closing ceremony, Taliban officials delivered speeches emphasizing the utilization of artificial intelligence, digital governance, and emerging technologies in managing state affairs.
Organized on the initiative of the Taliban's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the exhibition was held at the Afghanistan International Exhibition Center. Ministry officials reported that approximately 200 domestic and foreign companies participated in the event, attracting nearly 150,000 visitors.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the Taliban, stated during the closing ceremony that leveraging artificial intelligence, expanding digital governance, improving telecommunication services, and enhancing information security could elevate the performance of government institutions. He stressed that Afghanistan must utilize modern technologies to increase transparency and bolster service delivery, strictly within the framework of Islamic and national values.
These remarks come as the Taliban have imposed widespread restrictions on the production and dissemination of images and videos in recent years. The Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice had previously banned the photography and filming of living beings across a number of government institutions.
Furthermore, the Taliban have restricted the use of smartphones in certain institutions and educational centers a contrast that has drawn attention alongside the group's declared emphasis on technological development.
Mujib-ur-Rahman Shirzad, deputy head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, noted that trade and investment in the country are still managed through traditional methods. He asserted that competing in regional and global markets necessitates the adoption of modern technology and the development of digital infrastructure.
Abdul Hakim Haidar, professional deputy minister at the Taliban's Ministry of Justice, stated that technological development must align with the Islamic rulings and values upheld by the group. He added that in the event of any conflict between Islamic values and what he termed "Western ethics," the group would prioritize Islamic values.
Hafiz Mohammad Amin Jan Umari, deputy minister of finance and administration at the Taliban's Ministry of Communications, announced that the ministry plans to organize similar exhibitions in the future to attract investment and develop the technology sector. Additionally, on the sidelines of the closing ceremony, an online system for real estate transactions was officially unveiled.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
