Kabul, Jun 19 (EFE).- The Taliban regime has allegedly banned the use of smartphones in all government institutions in Afghanistan without issuing an official public order, officials from the de facto government told EFE.
«The directive was issued verbally by the respected Sheikh (the Taliban Supreme Leader), stating that smartphones should not be used in government institutions. After that, some departments issued written notices to enforce the ban,» a member of the Taliban administration’s Ministry of Defense told EFE on condition of anonymity.
According to officials familiar with the policy, the restriction applies not only to military institutions, but also to civilian government departments, where employees have been instructed not to bring smartphones to their workplaces.
«Although we were not told a specific implementation date, we have been told that smartphones should not be brought to the workplace,» Ministry of Urban Development official Samsoor Mashal told EFE.
Videos circulating online in recent weeks show employees of some government institutions destroying their own smartphones, an action that has been portrayed by some supporters as a demonstration of loyalty to the Taliban Supreme Leader.
The Taliban administration has not publicly explained why the reported ban was made. However, some Taliban members have indicated that the measure would improve workplace efficiency and prevent the leak of official documents.
The alleged ban follows a series of restrictions the Taliban have imposed since coming to power in 2021.
In September, authorities ordered an internet blocking that lasted more than two days and justified under the prevention of «immorality,» mainly because of concerns about pornography.
The measure also comes days after several online videos showed a violent repression of a citizen protest in Herat by Taliban forces on Jun.9, in which they are seen opening fire on demonstrators. The incident left at least two dead, according to the UN.
So far, the Taliban are yet to confirm or deny this ban and have not responded to messages from EFE in this regard. EFE
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