Local sources in Balkh Province say that the Taliban have banned government employees from using smartphones, even at home and outside government offices under the group’s control.
Sources told the Hasht-e Subh Daily on Monday, June 15, that the order applies to all individuals who receive salaries from the Taliban administration, with no exceptions.
According to the sources, the Taliban have warned that if a government employee is found with a smartphone in the office, at home, or outside the workplace, the device will be confiscated and destroyed.
The sources added that individuals who violate the order will be referred to Taliban military courts, where their cases will be investigated.
Previously, several government employees under Taliban control had also reported a Taliban directive banning the use of smartphones in all government institutions.
Local sources in Khost had likewise reported that teachers in some public schools were ordered to bring their smartphones so that they could be broken as a demonstration of “obedience to Mullah Hibatullah.”
