Taliban Officials Reject Nationwide Phone Ban Claims Amid Ongoing Restrictions

DID Press: Ministry of Communications of the Taliban has rejected reports claiming a nationwide ban on smartphones and the allocation of a special budget to enforce such a policy, describing the claims as “baseless and unofficial.” However, ongoing reports from multiple institutions suggest that administrative restrictions on mobile phone use continue to expand.

The ministry stated in an official announcement that no formal decision has been issued by the leadership or the minister regarding a comprehensive ban on smartphones, and urged media outlets to rely on verified sources before publishing such information.

The clarification comes amid a wave of reports in recent days indicating increasing restrictions on mobile phone usage within various Taliban-run government bodies.

According to some internal documents, the Taliban Supreme Court’s military deputy has reportedly issued directives banning smartphone use for all government employees at both central and provincial levels, including restrictions extending beyond office hours.

Separately, the Ministry of Higher Education is reported to have imposed limits on smartphone use for lower-ranked employees in central offices, universities, and higher education institutions during working hours.

In addition, videos circulating on social media show mobile phones being destroyed in some government offices, allegedly as part of enforcement measures linked to directives from the Taliban leadership.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center has also reported that the tightening restrictions have disrupted communication channels within government institutions and hindered media access, particularly through WhatsApp-based coordination groups.

Despite the ministry’s denial, the continued emergence of reports from different agencies has raised questions about the coherence and transparency of the Taliban’s broader policy on digital communication and technology use within state institutions.