The Taliban leadership in Afghanistan has issued a directive prohibiting the use of smartphones by government officials, including personnel in education and health institutions, according to a United Nations report.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said this in its quarterly report released on Tuesday, stating that the order was issued on June 15.
According to the report, the directive stipulates that the use of smartphones is punishable by dismissal from service and possible legal action.
UNAMA said implementation of the order has varied across Taliban departments, with some interpreting it as a ban on smartphone use within offices and others enforcing a complete prohibition on personal smartphone possession.
The report noted that employees’ smartphones were confiscated and destroyed in some government offices as part of efforts to enforce compliance.
