Taliban Ban Use of Smartphones in Government Institutions

The Taliban’s Supreme Court has issued a directive to the group’s military court offices across various regions of Afghanistan, announcing a ban on the use of smartphones in all military and civilian government institutions. According to the directive, which was sent on June 10 by the Military Deputy Office of the Taliban’s courts to military court administrations in the zones of Kandahar, Kabul, Nangarhar, Ghazni, Herat, Balkh, Kunduz and Paktia, the use of smartphones will be strictly prohibited in all military and non-military government institutions starting from June 18, in accordance with an order from the Taliban’s supreme leader. The document, signed by Sardar Mohammad Abul Faizan, the military deputy of the Taliban’s Supreme Court, instructs military court officials to communicate the decision to all military and civilian authorities, including judges, through separate meetings. Under the order, the use of smartphones has been banned for all government employees and officials, including military personnel, administrative staff and service workers. The directive applies across government institutions and is set to take effect from June 18.