Table of Contents
- Two Days Without the World
- Why the Taliban Pulled the Plug
- Social Media Restrictions Deepen Isolation
- Economic and Humanitarian Fallout
- Signs of Internal Taliban Tension?
- What Happens Next?
- Sources
Two Days Without the World
In late September 2025, Afghanistan vanished from the digital map. For 48 hours, the country experienced a total internet and mobile network blackout—leaving airports grounded, banks frozen, and millions of citizens cut off from the outside world.
For Afghans, especially women and girls banned from formal education and public life under Taliban rule, the internet isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. When connectivity vanished, so did their only window to education, income, and safety.
“We are always at home,” said Mahsa, a 19-year-old student in Kabul who asked to be identified by only her first name. “The internet was our only way to tell other people that we are alive.”
Why the Taliban Pulled the Plug
While Afghan officials offered no public explanation, analysts and regional sources say the shutdown came directly from Taliban leader Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, who resides in Kandahar and has pushed for stricter moral controls.
According to insiders, Akhundzada ordered the blackout to curb what he called “immoral acts” online—particularly content involving women, music, and Western influence. This aligns with his broader campaign to erase digital traces of modern Afghan life.
“The internet shutdown is the most damaging decision the emir has made after closing schools for girls,” said Asfandyar Mir, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center.
Social Media Restrictions Deepen Isolation
Even after services resumed, the Taliban imposed new restrictions on platforms like Instagram and Facebook—blocking videos, live streams, and accounts that feature women or “un-Islamic” content.
For female content creators, educators, and entrepreneurs, this is a devastating blow. Many had built small businesses or tutoring services online—their only legal source of income under Taliban rule.
“With restricted access, you’re in a gray zone,” Mahsa said. “If something happens to me, nobody will know.”
Economic and Humanitarian Fallout
The blackout paralyzed daily life far beyond social media:
- Airports halted operations due to inability to process digital manifests.
- Banks couldn’t verify transactions or disburse aid.
- Police forces lost communication via WhatsApp groups, delaying emergency responses.
- Remittances from abroad—critical for millions—were frozen.
Nazir Hussaini, a travel agent in Herat, nearly lost his business. “It felt like we were thrown back 30 years,” he said. “Trapped in the dark and unable to breathe.”
Humanitarian groups also struggled to coordinate relief after a recent earthquake killed over 2,200 people. With no internet, aid distribution stalled in remote provinces.
Signs of Internal Taliban Tension?
Notably, internet access was restored after just two days—unusually fast for a regime known for rigid control. Analysts speculate that more pragmatic Taliban officials in Kabul may have pushed back against Akhundzada’s order.
“This looks like a rare example of internal pushback against the leader,” said Graeme Smith, an Afghanistan analyst with two decades of experience.
Still, no dissent was visible at a recent Kandahar gathering of provincial governors, where Akhundzada reportedly urged unity and obedience.
What Happens Next?
With no official policy announced, Afghans live in fear of another sudden blackout. Many are stockpiling offline educational materials and switching to encrypted messaging apps—but options are limited.
International observers warn that digital repression could accelerate brain drain, as educated Afghans seek asylum abroad. Meanwhile, women’s mental health continues to deteriorate under increasing isolation.
For now, the internet remains on—but the threat of another shutdown looms like a digital curfew, reminding Afghans that even in 2025, their connection to the world can be severed with a single command.
