POLITICS — June 20, 2026
Taliban Ban Smartphone Use in Panjshir Government Offices
The provincial media office said the measure follows a verbal directive from the leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and applies to civilian and military employees alike.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Pajhwok — corroborated by Afghanistan International and Amu TV — 2 min read
Taliban authorities in Panjshir have banned the use of smartphones in government offices throughout the province.
The provincial media office stated that the ban was issued in accordance with a verbal order from the leadership. Governor Alhaj Hafiz Mohammad Agha Hakim directed civilian and military employees to adhere to the prohibition, with any violations to be addressed through legal channels.
Official duties will proceed using computers rather than mobile phones.
Read the original reporting at Pajhwok →
Reliability assessment
Three independent outlets (Pajhwok, Afghanistan International, Amu TV) corroborate the announcement by the Panjshir provincial media office of a smartphone ban in government offices, issued per a verbal directive and enforced by named Governor Alhaj Hafiz Mohammad Agha Hakim. This constitutes a verifiable on-record official statement.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Amu TV: "double standard manner" and "high-ranking Taliban officials continue to use these devices" - these phrases introduce an opinionated accusation of hypocrisy without providing direct evidence in the reporting.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
A related directive sent to Taliban military courts classified violators as “criminals” to be punished. The restriction is already in place in several other provinces, including Herat, Kandahar, Maidan Wardak, Ghor, and Panjshir.
At least four sources told Amu ... to those sources, the measure has been implemented in more than 20 provinces, including Kandahar, Maidan Wardak, Panjshir, Bamiyan, Herat, Sar-e Pul, Ghor and Kabul.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Smartphone use banned in Panjshir government offices per verbal directive from Taliban leadership
- Governor Mohammad Agha Hakim ordered enforcement for civilian and military personnel
- Violations subject to legal action
- Ban announced via provincial media office statement
Where reports differ
- Amu TV reports broader national rollout to 20+ provinces, home use prohibition, military court referrals and phone-smashing incidents; Pajhwok does not mention these details
- Amu TV claims double standards favoring senior officials; Pajhwok does not address enforcement variations
Filed by 3 outlets
Pajhwok
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Afghanistan International
Framed
Framed
Amu TV
Framed
Framed
Filed under
Politics — Taliban, Panjshir, smartphone ban, Islamic Emirate
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