Taliban shuts down fiber optics in Afghanistan: Ambassador Khalilzad says it hurts its fragile economy

Khalilzad Warns Fiber Optic Shutdown Hurts Afghanistan’s Economy
Some experts believe fiber optics could serve as a key infrastructure for the growth of Afghanistan’s digital economy.
Sources have confirmed to TOLOnews that fiber optic internet services have been cut off in Nangarhar province, following earlier shutdowns in Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, Laghman, Kandahar, and Helmand.
In response to the suspension of fiber optic services in several provinces, Zalmay Khalilzad said this decision harms not only the economy but also the overall future outlook of the country.
The former U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Peace wrote: “It will damage not only the province’s economy but the country’s prospects as a whole. This decision will undermine investment and development.”
Janat Faheem Chakari, former head of Afghan Telecom, said: “We have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on fiber optics. Through this network, we are connected to the entire world. Fiber optic has unlimited capacity, and its internet is both cheap and fast.”
Some experts believe fiber optics could serve as a key infrastructure for the growth of Afghanistan’s digital economy.
Its major uses include:
Online trade, electronic banking, and virtual education
Creating job opportunities in the technology sector
Reducing internet costs and expanding digital services to rural areas
Shakir Yaqubi, an economic analyst, said: “Fiber optic services played a vital role in facilitating commercial communications. In operational management, especially in banking, it was a key enabler. It also provided many conveniences in education, as many people were engaged in online learning through these services.”
Afghanistan’s fiber optic network is connected to regional networks through seven points, and by November 2024, more than 9,000 kilometers of cable had been installed across the country.
The project, launched in 2007, was designed to improve high-speed internet services, expand telephone communications, reduce costs, and increase regional connectivity.
- Previous Israeli Barak air defense system in Cyprus: Turkey gets nervious after Doha attack
- Next Can Ankara do anything!? Greece seeks to push Libya to halt maritime deal with Türkiye
You may also like...
Recent Posts
- Yet Another Clown-President, Milei, Almost Ruined States: This Time the Argentina, Saved by US’s 20 bn. loan
- Turkic states to launch joint satellite in 2026
- Malaysia announces budget spending of $144b in 2026, vows more reforms
- Disappearing in the Sands of History, Leaving Sad and Miserable Legacy, Macron is Convulsing with 6th PM gone in less 2 years
- ASEAN – 2025: Delivering On Integration
- Kyrgyzstan wants to go crypto with Binance’s help
- Narional Reserve Banks Add 15 Tons of Gold in August, Led by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
- Macron loses the remnants of his credibility: his PM Lecornu lasted only 28 days
- Fmr. terrorist, now head-In-chief Shara in Syria to appoint 100 of 300 parliamentarians in sham elections
- US War Secretary fires American Navy chief of staff
Random news
Views
- North Korea’s New Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile, the Hwasong-12: First Takeaways - 984 views
- Chinese military base in Djibouti necessary to protect key trade routes linking Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe - 970 views
- OIC, 57-nation Islamic body calls US travel ban a ‘grave concern’ - 699 views
- Goods from China start to be shipped by train to Europe: Luxembourg-Chengdu freight train route launched - 671 views
- What is wrong with JATECO Company’s business with Central Asian states!? Why Japanese standards of corporate governance and integrity in doing business are earning bad name with JATECO? - 626 views
- Kyrgyzstan actively working on start of construction of China—Kyrgyzstan—Uzbekistan railroad - 565 views
- Iran tested medium-range ballistic missile - 548 views
- Why Indians want to have white skin?! Pakistani authors thoughts. Article: The complexion of a new culture - 545 views
- China: Philippines can’t claim Benham Rise - 528 views
- Gabbard allies rush to her defense after Assad meeting - 511 views
About us
Our Newly established Center for study of Asian Affairs has
branches in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as freelances in some other countries.
For inquires, please contact: newsofasia.info@yahoo.com Mr.Mohd Zarif - Secretary of the Center and administer of the web-site www.newsofasia.net
Polls
