Afghanistan was plunged into digital darkness in late September and early October 2025, when the Taliban abruptly shut down internet and mobile networks across the country for 48 hours. The blackout, which began on September 29 and continued into October, left millions of Afghans cut off from the outside world, paralyzing businesses, halting flights, and freezing banking operations. For many, the sudden loss of connectivity was more than an inconvenience—it was a blow that reverberated through every layer of society, from bustling city markets to rural hospitals, and from small online entrepreneurs to major airlines.
According to Hasht-e Subh Daily, the Taliban’s decision to suspend telecommunications services caused widespread financial losses, with economic damages running into millions of dollars. The move, which came without warning or official explanation, left Afghans scrambling to adapt as vital sectors ground to a halt. Flights were canceled, online businesses lost their customers, and banking transactions became impossible. The blackout, analysts say, is seen as part of the Taliban’s broader clampdown on civil freedoms, impacting not only commercial life but also education and healthcare.
For business owners like Fereydoun Nasimi, a digital currency activist, the shutdown was devastating. "When only the fiber optic network was disrupted, work slowed down, but with the complete shutdown of the internet, I suffered a massive economic loss. In just a few days of the blackout, I lost more than $500. This is not only my problem—everyone whose work depends on the internet has suffered losses," Nasimi told Hasht-e Subh Daily. His experience was echoed by currency exchangers in Kabul’s Sarai Shahzada market, where losses ranged between $300 and $500 per person. Obaidullah, one such exchanger, explained that the instability of Taliban policy toward the internet had dealt the greatest economic blow to their livelihoods. "Many of our colleagues who work as street vendors, due to not knowing the exact exchange rate of the dollar, bought U.S. dollars at 70 or even 75 Afghanis," he said, highlighting how the information void led to costly mistakes.
The damage extended far beyond financial markets. For Afghanistan’s growing class of online entrepreneurs, the blackout threatened more than just their bottom line—it undermined their sense of purpose and security. Mehrma Noori, a young woman who runs an online store, described her devastation after the internet and telecommunications were cut. "When I realized the internet was completely down, I cried so much that the next day my eyes burned and were too swollen to open. I felt so hopeless because it was the only thing that gave me a sense of purpose in life. It felt as though the sky had collapsed on my head," she shared. Over the three days without internet, her business fell far behind, as customer orders—the lifeblood of her income—dried up. The fear of another potential shutdown continues to haunt her.
Marwa Zaheer, another online business owner, recounted how the blackout amplified her anxiety. "When all communication was cut off, my anxiety multiplied. I thought perhaps war was breaking out—that our lives might completely change. Where could we go? Even now, I worry that although the internet is restored, it might be cut again. The thought is terrifying, to go back to what I call the ‘Century of Nothing,’ a time when nothing exists," Zaheer said. The outage also compromised neighborhood security, as surveillance cameras went offline, leading to a robbery at a neighbor’s house and robbing Zaheer of sleep.
The healthcare sector, already strained, faced severe operational challenges. Manouchehr, head of a healthcare center in Kabul, explained that during the three-day outage, the quality and speed of their work dropped sharply. "Not only our hospital but also other hospitals faced serious challenges because their database systems went offline," he said. The blackout resulted in inaccurate financial accounts and confusion over medical stock levels. Most tragically, inpatients from the provinces who died during the outage were buried without their families being informed, a consequence of the communication breakdown.
While the Taliban have not issued any official explanation for the shutdown, their silence has only fueled public anxiety and speculation. According to Hasht-e Subh Daily, the lack of accountability has sparked numerous reactions and rumors among citizens, many of whom fear that another blackout could strike at any time. The uncertainty has left Afghans deeply unsettled, with many still reeling from the economic and emotional fallout of the recent outage.
The aviation sector was particularly hard hit. As reported by multiple travel agencies, the blackout led to the temporary suspension of all flights from Afghanistan’s airports. When flights finally resumed after the restoration of internet services, passengers were met with another shock: ticket prices had skyrocketed. Abdul Rashid, an employee of a travel agency, told reporters, "If we compare, I can say that ticket prices have almost tripled. For example, before the internet was cut off, the regular ticket price was between 270 and 275 dollars, but unfortunately, it has now risen to around 700 dollars." The price for a ticket on the popular Kabul–Dubai route now ranges between $700 and $1,000, several times higher than before the outage.
Travel agencies confirmed that the surge in prices was directly linked to the blackout. Sajad, another agency employee, noted, "During the two-day internet outage, our flights were canceled. After the internet was restored, some issues occurred, but once flights resumed, ticket prices increased." However, Kam Air, a leading Afghan airline, maintained that there was "no change in Kam Air’s ticket prices. Tickets are sold according to the previous rate list. Only tickets booked for full flights are priced higher, which is standard practice across all airlines," according to Basheer Ahmad Taleeq, the airline’s Sales Manager.
Economic experts have criticized the lack of regulatory oversight that allowed airlines to raise fares, arguing that the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation should ensure transparency and fair pricing. Mohammad Nabi Afghan, an economic analyst, stated, "During the two days when internet and telecommunications were cut off, ticket prices rose. This increase has created serious problems for passengers. The government should provide subsidies and regulate the market, as price control is the responsibility of the state."
Beyond the immediate financial losses, the blackout’s impact on daily life and civil liberties has been profound. Students dependent on online learning found themselves unable to access educational resources. Shopkeepers, unable to process transactions or restock supplies, saw their businesses falter. For many, the outage was a stark reminder of the fragility of Afghanistan’s digital infrastructure and the unpredictability of life under Taliban rule.
As Afghanistan emerges from the blackout, the scars remain visible. The collective anxiety over future disruptions lingers, and the economic wounds are slow to heal. The episode has underscored the vital role of connectivity in modern Afghan society—and the dangers that arise when it is abruptly taken away.
