Afghanistan Restores Internet After 48-Hour Taliban Blackout

After a 48-hour nationwide internet and mobile blackout imposed by the Taliban government in Afghanistan, services were restored, sparking widespread relief and celebrations among the Afghan population. The shutdown disrupted businesses, flights, banking, and communication, isolating the country and exacerbating an already severe humanitarian crisis. The Taliban have not officially explained the blackout, though they previously cited restrictions to curb "immorality" and "prevention of vices" as reasons for limiting internet access. The restoration allowed Afghans to reconnect with relatives abroad and resume essential money transfers, vital for the struggling economy. The return of connectivity brought a visible resurgence of public life, with streets filling with people, including women who face severe restrictions under Taliban rule. The United Nations warned that the blackout risked deepening economic instability and further isolating vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, whose rights have been heavily curtailed since the Taliban's return to power.