Published: Jun 20, 2026, 09:12 IST | Updated: Jun 20, 2026, 09:12 IST
In a severe crackdown on communication and information access, the Taliban has issued a sweeping directive banning the use of smartphones by all government employees across Afghanistan. The order, attributed to Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, mandates a switch to basic mobile phones, with authorities warning that violators face confiscation, destruction of devices, and potential Sharia-based legal punishment, including imprisonment.