Tue Sep 30 12:47:27 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the situation in Afghanistan, crafted from an Indian perspective, suitable for a publication like *The Hindu*:

**The Hindu: World Affairs**

**UN Condemns Taliban Internet Blackout in Afghanistan, Citing Humanitarian Crisis and Economic Threat**

**Islamabad – September 30, 2025:** The United Nations has strongly condemned the nationwide internet and telecommunications blackout imposed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, warning of dire consequences for the country’s humanitarian crisis, economic stability, and basic human rights.

The shutdown, which began on September 16th and became nationwide on September 29th, marks the first instance of such a country-wide restriction since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. The Taliban leadership, led by Hibatullah Akhundzada, has reportedly justified the blackout as a measure to combat “immorality.”

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated the outage is severely impacting banking and financial systems, isolating women and girls, limiting access to vital medical care and remittances, and even disrupting aviation. Of particular concern is the disruption of information flow during recent earthquakes and the ongoing crisis of forced returns from neighboring countries.

“Such restrictions further undermine freedom of expression and the right to information,” the UNAMA statement emphasized.

This latest development is likely to raise further concerns in India, which has historically maintained close ties with Afghanistan and has been a significant provider of aid and development assistance. Analysts here view the Taliban’s actions as a step backwards, undermining efforts towards stability and progress in the region. New Delhi has yet to issue an official statement, but sources indicate a deep concern regarding the humanitarian implications and the potential for further regional instability. The blackout also raises questions about the future of Indian investments and projects in Afghanistan.

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Tue Sep 30 12:47:27 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Taliban in Afghanistan has imposed a nationwide internet and telecommunications blackout, citing a crackdown on immorality. The United Nations is urging the Taliban to restore access, highlighting the severe consequences of the outage, including economic disruption, hindering humanitarian aid, isolating women and girls, limiting access to healthcare, and impeding disaster relief efforts. The blackout, which began regionally on September 16th and became nationwide on September 29th, is the first of its kind since the Taliban regained power in 2021.

**News Article:**

**UN Urges Taliban to Restore Internet as Afghanistan Faces Nationwide Blackout**

**Islamabad – September 30, 2025** – The United Nations is calling on the Taliban to immediately restore internet and telecommunications access across Afghanistan, following a complete nationwide shutdown. The blackout, which the Taliban attributes to a crackdown on “immorality,” began regionally on September 16th and escalated to a national scale on September 29th.

This is the first nationwide internet shutdown since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Earlier this month Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a decree banning the service to prevent immorality, causing several provinces to lose fibre-optic connections.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan warned of the devastating consequences of the blackout. In a statement released today, the UN cited the crippling effects on the nation’s banking and financial systems, as well as the isolation of women and girls. The UN further emphasized the limitations on healthcare access, the disruption of crucial remittance flows, and the potential for impeded aviation activities.

“These restrictions undermine freedom of expression and the right to information,” the UN statement read. “Telecommunications are also vital during disasters, and Afghanistan is grappling with the aftermath of recent major earthquakes and mass forced returns from neighbouring countries.”

The UN mission stated that it would continue to pressure the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to restore access, emphasizing the critical need for connectivity to support the Afghan people. The situation is rapidly evolving, and the international community is watching closely as Afghanistan remains almost entirely cut off from the outside world.

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