Government workers in different parts of Afghanistan have started switching off their smartphones, following an order imposed on Wednesday that reportedly came from the country’s Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
A letter announcing the ban on smartphones for all government employees started circulating on social media last week under the emblem of the Supreme Court.
"All the heads of departments in their respective provinces are advised to inform their staff, higher-ranking or lower-ranking, that using smartphones is strictly banned effective 17 June," the letter said.
It referred to all employees of the military and civilian departments, mentioning that exemptions could only be granted by the supreme leader.
As of Wednesday afternoon, multiple central government departments were still publishing information through their WhatsApp groups.
