KABUL: In a dim home used as a small business in Afghanistan, women bent over bright cloth use needles to form intricate embroidery. But their fiber-optic network in Kandahar — their primary link to buyers — has now gone dark. Local government officials confirmed a ban on fiber-optic services in five northern provinces — Balkh, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Takhar and Baghlan. Officials said the ban is to prevent “immoral activities.” Residents in other provinces, including Kandahar, Herat and Parwan have reported disruptions, though these have not been formally acknowledged by authorities.

A partial shutdown of fibre-optic internet has spread fear. Afghans do not want to be cut off from the world.

KABUL: In a dim home used as a small business in Afghanistan, women bent over bright cloth use needles to form intricate embroidery. But their fiber-optic network in Kandahar —…