Internet curb in northern province signals new phase of control and risks to commerce

The Taliban have ordered a shutdown of fixed-line broadband and household Wi-Fi across Balkh province, citing the need to prevent immorality. Provincial officials said the directive came from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Government offices, private firms, public institutions and homes have lost cable internet access, while mobile data remains available but slower and often costlier. It is the most sweeping restriction on wired internet since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, and it raises concerns that similar bans could follow elsewhere.

Why it matters domestically

Cutting fixed broadband undermines already fragile economic activity in a major commercial hub anchored by Mazar-e-Sharif. Small businesses, students and professional services depend on reliable connections for payments, procurement and remote work. Mobile networks cannot fully substitute for stable Wi-Fi in offices and homes, and higher data costs will price out many families. The move also complicates routine governance and service delivery, from health coordination to education, and risks accelerating internal migration as firms and skilled workers look for connectivity in other provinces.

Risks for Western partners and regional stability

For the United States and allies, the decision hampers visibility into extremist threats, complicates humanitarian operations and weakens any prospect of private-sector engagement that could reduce dependence on illicit economies. Prolonged digital isolation can drive more Afghans into economic desperation, fueling outward migration that strains neighbors and Western partners. It also opens space for authoritarian patrons to shape Afghanistan's limited connectivity on their terms, reducing Western leverage to nudge the Taliban toward basic norms, including women’s access to education and work.

Economic and humanitarian fallout

Local companies report stalled orders, delayed payments and severed links to clients abroad. Universities and schools lose access to online materials, while aid groups face new hurdles in coordinating deliveries and monitoring projects. If mobile networks are throttled during security events, as has happened in the past, Balkh could face complete digital blackouts that disrupt emergency response and compound economic losses.

Outlook

Key indicators to watch include whether the ban spreads to other provinces, any Taliban rollout of a state-approved alternative network, and the uptake of lawful satellite or cross-border workarounds. Western governments and partners will likely weigh calibrated pressure alongside pragmatic engagement aimed at preserving basic internet access for education, commerce and humanitarian work. Sustained restrictions would further isolate Afghanistan, deter investment and undercut regional stability that is squarely in the national interest of Western allies.