A verbal order issued by Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban, banning the use of smartphones has now been turned into a mandatory directive across both civilian and military sectors under the group’s control throughout Afghanistan.
In recent days, audio messages attributed to Taliban officials have been circulated in messaging groups used by education staff in the provinces of Balkh, Maidan Wardak, Badakhshan, Panjshir, Khost, Helmand, and several other provinces. In these messages, the leader’s directive has been communicated to education directors, school administrators, teachers, and other employees.
According to one of the latest audio messages released in Maidan Wardak province, a deadline has been set for implementing the order. The message states that the smartphone ban will come into effect at the beginning of the new lunar Hijri year, corresponding to Wednesday, 27 Jawza.
The message further emphasizes that the use of smartphones will be prohibited both in the workplace and at home. According to the speaker, those who violate the directive will be dismissed from their positions and referred to the relevant authorities for legal action.
At the same time, another audio message attributed to a Taliban official in Badakhshan states that the ban is not limited to working hours and applies at all times.
According to this message, all government employees, including military personnel and civilian staff, as well as all individuals receiving salaries from the Taliban administration, will not be permitted to use smartphones at work, at home, or in any other location.
Over the past two weeks, videos have also circulated on social media showing some Taliban civilian employees and military personnel breaking their smartphones at the workplace and abandoning their use.
This development comes despite the fact that last year the Taliban leader also ordered a shutdown of internet and telecommunications networks for several days, a move that triggered widespread reactions.
That restriction was lifted after three days; however, at the time, some critics and even certain members of the Taliban stressed that many administrative and governmental functions would face serious difficulties without access to the internet.
Meanwhile, some speculation has emerged that following the enforcement of the smartphone ban for Taliban employees and affiliated personnel, the restriction could in the future be extended to certain private institutions and eventually to ordinary citizens. However, no official statement has yet been issued in this regard.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
