Internet and Telecom Networks Restored in Afghanistan After 72-Hour Blackout

Kabul — Internet and telecommunications networks in Afghanistan were gradually restored on Wednesday after a nationwide blackout that lasted nearly 72 hours, leaving millions of people cut off from digital communication, banking systems, and vital services.

The shutdown, reportedly ordered under senior leadership, paralyzed the country’s already fragile economy and further deepened concerns about state-imposed restrictions on freedom of information and communication.

Residents in Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, and other provinces confirmed that both mobile data and fiber optic connections had come back online. However, access remained patchy. Users complained of slow speeds, frequent disconnections, and restricted access to certain platforms. Despite these challenges, many were able to reconnect with social media platforms and international news websites for the first time in three days.

“It feels like we were cut off from the world,” said Ahmad, a university student in Kabul. “Even though the internet is back, it is so unstable that online classes and research are still very difficult.”

Impact Across Sectors

The blackout had a crippling effect on daily life. Schools and universities were unable to conduct online classes, offices were forced to suspend remote work, and businesses relying on digital platforms came to a halt.

Banking systems and financial services, many of which depend on internet-based platforms, were particularly hard-hit. Money exchanges and customs offices faced major delays, while international trade and business transactions nearly stopped altogether. Kabul International Airport suspended multiple flights due to disruptions in its communications system, further stranding travelers and disrupting humanitarian aid deliveries.

Civil Society and International Concerns

Civil society activists and digital rights advocates warned that the blackout highlighted both the vulnerability of Afghanistan’s communications infrastructure and the risks of politically motivated disruptions. They stressed that internet access is no longer a luxury but a lifeline for education, healthcare, and economic survival.

Human rights organizations, including the United Nations, echoed these concerns. In a statement, UN officials noted that prolonged digital blackouts isolate communities, hinder humanitarian coordination, and exacerbate the country’s already dire economic and social crisis.

“Shutting down communication networks cuts off families, businesses, and aid organizations from one another at a time when Afghanistan is facing multiple humanitarian emergencies,” the UN said.

A Climate of Uncertainty

Although connectivity has been restored, users remain wary of future disruptions. The sudden nature of the blackout, combined with a lack of transparency from authorities, has fueled widespread speculation about whether political motives were behind the shutdown.

Many residents expressed cautious relief, acknowledging that repeated blackouts could cause irreparable harm to the country’s education sector, small businesses, and international credibility.

“If this happens again, people will lose trust in the system altogether,” said Farzana, a small business owner in Herat. “We depend on the internet to sell our products, and every hour offline means financial loss.”

For now, Afghans are reconnecting with the outside world—albeit slowly and with uncertainty over how long the connection will last.

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