As the sun set on Wednesday, the streets surrounding Kabul, the Afghan capital, suddenly became bustling with activity.
With phones firmly pressed to their ears, Afghans spilled into the streets of Kabul, eager to see if others were online.
“Great news, the internet is back!” shouted a driver, as children received balloons and parents bought sweets to celebrate, gathering at nearby restaurants.
For 48 hours, the Afghan population had been cut off from mobile and internet services due to unexpected telecommunications shutdowns ordered by the authorities.
“It felt like we were transported back in time, contemplating sending letters to stay connected with family,” shared Mohammad Rafi, 33, a mobile phone store owner.
“The streets were deserted, resembling a holiday atmosphere, even during weekdays. But now, they’re lively again, even in the evening.”
Men attempt to connect their smart TV to the internet. Photo: Sayed Hassib/Reuters
Sohrab Ahmadi, a 26-year-old delivery driver, struggled for two days without being able to reach his clients through the app he relies on.
Now, bikes line the streets, picking up orders from restaurants adorned with bright neon signs and juice vendors playing music. “It feels like Eid al-Adah, like preparing for prayer,” he remarked.
The communications tower is slowly restoring its services after nearly three days offline. Photo: Samiullah Popal/EPA
The streets also saw a noticeable rise in the number of women facing severe limitations imposed by the Taliban regime, including a prohibition on education beyond primary school.
“I can’t describe how relieved I am. I’m finally able to breathe again,” said a young woman attending online classes, who requested anonymity. “These online lessons are our last hope.”
The UN has warned that the disruption in connectivity poses risks to economic stability, worsening one of the most dire humanitarian crises globally.
The Taliban government has yet to address the issue of the internet blackout.
An Afghan woman walks past a beauty salon in the capital. Photo: Ali Kara/Reuters
This suspension occurred shortly after the government announced plans to cut high-speed internet in certain regions to curb “immorality.”
Attaura Zaid, a spokesman for Balkh province, confirmed that the ban was initiated by Taliban shadow leader Hibatura Ahnzada.
During the Taliban’s initial rule from 1996 to 2001, the internet was still a relatively new and developing technology.
Kabul street vendors will communicate via phone once services resume. Photo: Sayed Hassib/Reuters
However, in recent years, the economy has increasingly depended on internet access. Even in rural areas, many Afghans utilize their mobile phones for business transactions.
“The world has moved forward. This isn’t like thirty years ago,” remarked Ghulam Rabbani, a mobile credit vendor who was surrounded by shops on Wednesday night. “We anticipated the internet’s return. The outage affected everyone, including the government.”
Source: www.theguardian.com
