On Wednesday, September 17th, the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban administration announced an internet ban across a swathe of northern Afghanistan, “to prevent immoral activities.” The provincial government said in a statement The ban will cover five provinces–Kunduz, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Takhar and Balkh–which include the key urban centers of the north of the country.
The Islamist regime has previously voiced concern over pornography and online flirtation.
The restriction is limited to all internet connections via fiber optic cable, while internet access on cell phone data will be available, officials said.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said the ban was absurd.
“If pornography is really the concern, as in many Islamic countries, it can easily be filtered. Many countries in the Islamic world do exactly the same,” he said.
Last year, the Taliban officially established an extensive set of moral regulations, including mandates for women to cover their faces, men to grow beards, and prohibitions on drivers playing music.
