Reliable sources have revealed that Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has returned to Kabul empty-handed after meeting with the group’s reclusive leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, in Kandahar. Haqqani, described as visibly dissatisfied with the decision, reportedly urged Akhundzada to reconsider the suspension of internet and telecom services, warning of grave consequences for Afghanistan’s economy, connectivity, and public services.
Despite his objections, Akhundzada is said to have refused to restore access. A foreign diplomat in Kabul told The Washington Post that the Taliban has formally conveyed the blackout will remain in place “until further notice.”
Nationwide Shutdown
Afghanistan’s internet and telecommunications services have been suspended since Monday evening, paralysing daily life and critical systems. NetBlocks, a global observatory, confirmed that the blackout has also disrupted phone services, since networks in Afghanistan are heavily reliant on fibre-optic infrastructure.
The abrupt halt has prevented Afghans abroad from contacting their families, while airlines, banks, hospitals, and government offices have all been severely affected. Two sources confirmed to Afghanistan International that all Ariana Afghan Airlines flights were suspended, leaving passengers stranded. Kam Air flights to Istanbul, Türkiye, were also cancelled after airlines were not informed in advance about the shutdown.
Fallout Across the Border
The impact has spilled into Pakistan, where authorities closed the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan due to “administrative disruptions” on the Afghan side. A provincial official in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said Afghan border staff were unable to process routine procedures without internet access, forcing the closure.
Local media reported that several travellers who had already crossed into Afghanistan were turned back into Pakistan when Taliban officials declared their systems offline. The temporary shutdown has stranded dozens of traders and passengers on both sides, further compounding tensions already high along the frontier.
Mounting Criticism
The Taliban’s decision has drawn heavy criticism at home and abroad. Analysts warn that a prolonged blackout could cripple Afghanistan’s fragile economy and deepen its isolation. For ordinary Afghans, the inability to communicate, access money transfers, or even obtain basic services is worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Haqqani’s failed attempt to reverse the decision highlights growing divisions within the Taliban leadership. But for now, Akhundzada’s uncompromising stance means Afghanistan will remain cut off from the digital world, with ripple effects felt far beyond its borders.
