The Taliban in Kandahar province have banned the use of smartphones for employees of government offices under the group’s control and some institutions, warning that violators will face prosecution and punishment.
A letter obtained by the Hasht-e Subh Daily on Wednesday, June 24, shows that the Taliban have banned the use of smartphones in Kandahar for government employees starting from June 22, 2026.
According to the letter, the decision was issued by order of the Taliban governor of Kandahar and based on a ruling by the group’s military court.
Under this order, any employee seen with a smartphone after the designated date will be referred to the Taliban military court, and their mobile phone will also be confiscated.
The “Taliban Directorate of Pursuit and Monitoring” is reportedly responsible for enforcing this order and will oversee the implementation process.
This measure comes as the Taliban had previously imposed restrictions on the use of smartphones in other provinces as well.
In recent weeks, the group has imposed broader restrictions on citizens of Afghanistan, particularly women, government employees, and various institutions, measures that have been accompanied by widespread domestic and international criticism.
