Fiber Optic Internet Cut for Second Time in Kunduz by Taliban Governor’s Order

In the late hours of Monday night, October 5th, fiber optic internet in Kunduz province was cut for the second time by order of Mawlawi Mohammad Khan Dawat, the Taliban-appointed governor. Local sources say this action was taken without coordination with the central authorities and contrary to previous directives from the Taliban leadership.

An informed source speaking to Independent Farsi warned that the fiber optic internet shutdown might be extended to other provinces as well. These concerns have intensified as the recent cut in Kunduz occurred only days after a meeting of the governors of all 34 provinces with the Taliban leader in Kandahar.

Last week, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Taliban administration’s prime minister, issued a directive following widespread internet and telecommunications outages across the country, urging governors and telecommunications officials to avoid unilateral actions without coordination with Kabul.

However, the repetition of such actions in Kunduz highlights weaknesses in enforcing central decisions, poor management of communication resources, and blatant disregard for the basic rights of people to access information. Lack of internet access, especially in critical situations, constitutes a violation of the rights to freedom of expression and free flow of information.