In Logar, Taliban ban telecom services at night

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): The Taliban have stopped telecommunication networks from functioning at night in central Logar province, including some areas of the provincial capital.

Ajmal, a resident of the Porak locality of Pul-i-Alam, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News the telecommunication firms remained dysfunctional from 4:00pm till 7:00am over the past 15 days.

“Security issues have surged, as no one could go out at night. Mobile services, the only communication option, have also not been functioning for the past two weeks.”

Raz Mohammad, hailing from the Mughalkhel area of Mohammad Agha district, said the Taliban had banned operations of telecommunication services at night.

“There is a big problem; if something takes place at night, nobody could establish contact with friends and relatives,” he said.

Other residents of Logar held similar views and asked the government to take steps to resolve the issue on a priority basis.

Abdul Rahman Naseri, head of the Communication and Information Technology in Logar, acknowledged the telecommunication networks had stopped night operations.

He said heads of the telecommunication companies, already informed of the problem, had pledged to resolve the issue.

Police spokesman Shapur Ahmadzai confirmed mobile services also stayed dysfunctional in the districts and some other areas at night.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said telecommunication services had been suspended at night to ensure the security and safety of the common people.

It is pertinent to mention here the Taliban had banned night telecommunication services in some other provinces as well.

nh/mud