Afghanistan’s supreme leader and Taliban chief, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, has issued a decree banning members of the movement and civil servants from using smartphones. This was reported by Afghanistan International, which said the relevant document had been obtained by its newsroom.
According to the outlet, those who violate the order will be referred to military courts. The specific punishments they could face are not specified. A special list has also been created: it records the name, position, place of service, mobile operator and phone number of each person barred from using a smartphone.
Kabul Now writes that after the decree appeared, a video began circulating on social media showing a Taliban member destroying his smartphone.
The Education Ministry introduced a separate ban: students have been forbidden to bring smartphones into educational institutions.
The reasons for these decisions have not been officially explained.