Internet services in Afghanistan were restored on Wednesday after a nationwide blackout that lasted nearly 72 hours. The shutdown, ordered under senior leadership, caused severe disruption across the country.

Residents in several provinces, including Herat and Kandahar, Kabul confirmed that fiber optic and mobile networks had come back online. However, access remained limited, with slow speeds and technical restrictions still in place.

Users reported that social media platforms and news websites were once again accessible. Yet the connection was unstable, making it difficult to carry out daily activities online.

The blackout, which began on Monday evening, had paralyzed education and professional life. Schools, offices, and businesses struggled to operate without internet access.

Banking systems, customs offices, money exchanges, and airports were also heavily affected. Flights in and out of Kabul were suspended, while financial transactions and trade slowed to a near standstill.

Civil society activists warned that the disruption underscored the fragility of Afghanistan's communications infrastructure. They urged authorities to recognize internet access as a basic right and to prevent sudden nationwide shutdowns.

The United Nations and human rights groups echoed these concerns, noting that extended blackouts isolate communities, hinder humanitarian aid, and risk worsening Afghanistan's already fragile social and economic conditions.

Although services have returned, residents expressed cautious relief, hoping connectivity will remain stable. Many stressed that repeated disruptions would inflict lasting harm on education, business, and livelihoods across the country.

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