یوناما: قطع ۴۸ ساعته‌ انترنت زیان‌بار بود

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has addressed the recent shutdown of internet and telecommunication services in the country in its latest report.

To prepare the report, UNAMA interviewed 111 people, including 39 women, and found that the 48-hour disruption severely affected citizens’ daily lives, access to healthcare, media, businesses, education, humanitarian aid, and the banking system.

UNAMA emphasized that essential services and public activities in the country rely heavily on telecommunications networks and stressed that Afghan citizens should not be subjected to forced shutdowns of these services.

The report states: “Afghans, already facing significant challenges in their daily lives, should not be subjected to imposed telecommunications cuts which negatively impact their daily lives and ability to exercise their basic human rights.”

Abdul Zuhor Mudaber, an economic affairs expert, stated: “Given its vital importance, the internet can be considered the heartbeat of commerce and trade. If it is shut down, it naturally has negative effects on both personal and business levels.”

Meanwhile, citizens across the city are calling for the expansion of telecom and internet services.

Obaidurrahman, a Kabul resident, told TOLOnews: “Some people are travelers. If telecom or internet networks are cut, how can they contact their families? Someone in a hospital who needs money cannot receive help or funds.”

Abdul Qadeer, another Kabul resident, said: “Goods imported or exported from the country are coordinated through the internet. If this communication is cut off, it will cause economic damage to our country.”

This was the first time in the past two decades that nationwide internet service in Afghanistan was cut off for 48 hours, raising widespread concerns among citizens, who consistently call for improved speed and quality of internet services.