Banking services in Balkh province were severely disrupted after the Taliban cut fiber-optic internet in the region, local sources said.
The outage caused major delays and suspensions of operations at banks and other institutions dependent on online services, the sources said.
According to sources, in response, Taliban governor Yousuf Wafa ordered that banks, the electronic ID office and several other critical institutions be exempted from the blackout. Internet access for banks in Mazar-e-Sharif was restored by late Wednesday morning, allowing services to resume, according to the sources.
The disruption followed a broader order from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to suspend Afghan Telecom’s fiber-optic services in multiple provinces.
Sources said Taliban have justified the move as a measure to prevent “immoral activities,” but residents and civil society groups warned it would cripple public services and the economy.
Local sources have confirmed that the restriction has now expaned to at least 10 provinces.
