Afghan Taliban bans government officials from using smartphones

Afghanistan's supreme leader and Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued a decree prohibiting Taliban members and government officials from using smartphones. The announcement was made public by Afghanistan International, which claims to have obtained the document.

Afghanistan's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued a decree prohibiting Taliban members and government officials from using smartphones. This was reported by Afghanistan International, which claims to have the relevant document in its possession.

The decree affects all Taliban members and civil servants across Afghanistan. The precise scope of the ban and enforcement mechanisms are not yet entirely clear, but the existence of the document confirms the Taliban's adherence to the strict moral framework it has established.

Since coming to power in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed numerous strict restrictions on social life, including limitations on women's education and employment, and curtailment of media freedom. The ban on smartphones for officials adds a new dimension to the movement's isolationist policies.