Taliban rejects reports of Afghanistan Internet ban

The Taliban government said old fiber optic cables were worn out and are being replaced, explaining the communications blackout. (AFP)

• The announcement was the Taliban’s first public statement on a communications blackout that has disrupted banking, commerce and aviation

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Taliban government on Wednesday rejected reports of a nationwide Internet ban in Afghanistan, saying old fiber optic cables are worn out and are being replaced.
The announcement was the Taliban’s first public statement on a communications blackout that has disrupted banking, commerce and aviation.
Last month, several provinces confirmed an Internet shutdown because of a decree from the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to combat immorality.
“There is nothing like the rumors being spread that we have imposed a ban on the Internet,” Taliban officials said in a three-line statement in a chat group with Pakistani journalists.