Taliban vs Afghan’s Mobile Phone Companies

I have recently got wind that the Taliban has ordered the mobile phone networks to be shut down from five in the evening until seven in the morning, adding a deadline of February 27^th for their compliance. Their action will bring on a serious impact to the country, should their demand be accepted. The Internet network relies on the network of phones to function, and by shutting it down at night, the Internet will be inaccessible. Students will not be able to use the Internet for their homework, businessmen who work 24/7 will not be able to keep track on the rise and fall of their own business. Generally, the entire flow of information will be seriously disturbed at night.

Mobile phones have become an important aspect in the lives of the Afghans as using a mobile phone is the pre-eminent way of communication. It has also become the fastest-growing and most profitable sector in the country’s economy. By commanding that the mobile phone networks be shut down for fourteen hours, it will certainly affect the growth of the company’s economy. During an emergency outside the safe haven of a house, one usually reaches for a mobile phone instead of searching for miles for a chunky house phone or – god forbid – a piece of paper and a pen. If the mobile phone companies choose to capitulate to the militants’ demand, then the communications within the war-torn country will really be seriously disrupted.

 

We are all living in a world where technology reigns supreme. People chatting on mobile phones or typing SMS is one of the most common sights on the streets. Gossipers can spread news faster than ever to their fellow friends; parents are delighted to discover this new way of monitoring their child; mobile phones have even become the indicator of one’s status on the social ladder in some students’ lives. By ordering the networks to be shut down, the Taliban’s action directly affects the lives of the people of Afghanistan. According to Taliban spokesperson, Qari Muhammad Yousof , the occupying forces stationed in Afghanistan use mobile phones at night for espionage to track down the mujahideen. The four major mobile phone companies that have received the ultimatum – Areeba, Roshan, Etisalat and lastly, Afghan Wireless Communication Company – have also received a threat saying that if the command of the Taliban is not complied, then they will target their towers and their offices.

The Taliban’s action also has a great impact on the mobile phone companies. They must be losing their workers who are worried about their own safety. If the companies give in to the ruthless ex-ruling organisation’s demand and the threat remains just as that – threat – then there is nothing to be worried about. But due to the Taliban’s bloody past history, and the companies refusal to comment on any of this, the workers do have a right to worry about their own lives. Without sufficient workers, the companies will not be able to function. This could also be one of Taliban’s many goals in this matter. Mobile phone companies were threatened by militants in the past, accusing them of being in league with the U.S. and other foreign military forces. But so far, none of the threats have been truly acted upon.

Personally, I don’t agree with the action of the Taliban as it affects the lives of others. By ordering the mobile phone networks to be shut down reveals just how selfish they are. They continue to strongly believe that the U.S. uses mobile phone signals to track down the remaining members of the Taliban despite the U.S. being reportedly uses satellites and not mobile phone operators for tracking. Communication experts have also verified that the U.S. military has the ability to pick up mobile phone signals even without the help of the mobile phone companies. Mobile phones still continue to send signals to the network even when they are not making calls. The Taliban’s ludicrous action takes away human freedom, takes away all the people of Afghanistan’s right to make calls at night just to save the lives of the remaining Taliban. Of course, some of you might agree with the Taliban’s course of action because they just want to protect their own people from being tracked down by the U.S. and other foreign military forces. But don’t you think it is more than a little absurd to sacrifice the right of the whole citizens of Afghanistan just to protect the lives of a few people? What do you think? Is the Taliban’s action proper?