Taliban heading to Afghanistan major powers, IT infrastructure | Online stories

Kabul, Afghanistan – When Ali Ali Atayee, 30, enrolled in his first computer training as an Afghan child refugee growing up in Iran, he knew this was something he would like to do in his adult life.

After returning to Afghanistan in later years, with one goal in mind, Atayee used all his energy, time and resources to study computer science, especially internet development.

A graduate of the prestigious American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, Atayee has worked with a number of businesses promoting Information Technology (IT) and development projects in a small, yet growing area in the country IT.

Over the past few years, Atayee has moved to a freelance business venture.

“I loved computer programming and seeing how things were changing in Afghanistan at that time, I thought there would be a lot of lessons,” Al Jazeera said.

With more Afghans coming online – 12.8 million internet users by 2021 – these companies have grown over the past 20 years.

A USAID report in 2012 states that the telecommunications sector has become a major player in Afghanistan with an annual revenue of $ 139.6m, accounting for more than 12% of all governments.

The IT sector in Afghanistan is considered to be one of the few areas of global success for the highly marginalized state.

“It was one of the few companies in which the federal and state agencies could enter into an agreement to provide assistance to the people of Afghanistan, and make money from the government and the private sector,” Mohammad Najeeb Azizi, former head of the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA), told Al Jazeera.

However, that potential is rapidly disappearing as the war in Afghanistan intensifies, with the United States-led force leaving the country and the Taliban re-emerging in a country formerly ruled by iron.

With the Taliban making a lot of money in the country in the past two months, IT and other Afghan weapons have been under frequent attacks.

On July 5, Taliban militants detonated artillery and machine guns in the province of Herat in Islam Qala, a city on the border with Iran and an important trading port.

Islam Qala is also a migration center where several international NGOs work, working with thousands of refugees every day.

The Taliban insurgency has left residents without internet access.

Last month, ATRA also reported that 28 microphones had been damaged across the country in the past three months, while 23 others were slightly damaged by the ongoing conflict, which has severely affected digital telecommunications in the country.

At the same time, the country’s nuclear power plant was relocated, causing power outages at even the capital Kabul.

“In the last six months, the 39 power poles that bring power from Afghanistan have been destroyed,” Sangar Niazi, a spokesman for Da Afghanistan’s Breshna Sherkat (DABS), which supplies national power to the country, told Al Jazeera.

Afghanistan exports about 70% of the 1,600 megawatts of electricity from neighboring countries through these pylons.

“Some were completely destroyed while others were slightly damaged, which affected electricity in Kunduz, Baghlan, Kabul, Nangarhar and Parwan provinces,” Niazi said.

Workers in Afghanistan are repairing a damaged pylon [Courtesy of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat]

While the Nazis did not divide the insurgency, the Afghan government has repeatedly criticized the Taliban for its destruction.

Millions of Afghans are well aware of frequent power cuts and are forced to travel daily with electricity in just a few hours.

However, the lack of electricity has had a profound impact on the small IT sector in the country, especially for young professionals like Atayee.

“The people of Kabul receive a few hours a day, some even an hour, which is enough to pay for your equipment and they are cut off,” he said, highlighting the difficulties in creating jobs between power cuts and the internet. .

As an independent website developer, Atayee struggled to meet the deadlines for his ongoing career.

“I have been unable to do any work lately, and all my duties are increasing. One day, my laptop charger was shut down due to unstable power waves. Not only does it delay my work, but it also poses a problem for customers who are trying to set up a page for their new business, ”he told Al Jazeera.

“If I don’t meet the deadline, clients will lose me.”

Atayee said the lack of proper functioning has also discouraged Afghan businesses from using the internet.

“They are embarrassed to bring their business online or to use technology to help them. It affects customers and professionals in the process, ”he said.

“We are lagging behind in terms of technology. We would have had the opportunity to pay online by now. ”

Many businesses in the Kabul IT team have purchased large generators and made the necessary electricity to ensure continuity. But those funds consume their profits.

For small businesses and freelancers like Atayee, it also means that previously job opportunities that were once plentiful are no longer profitable.

“If construction is not going well, business will not invest online. As a result, there are fewer technical tasks. Most people who learn this as a major are doing other jobs, ”he said.

Afghan business analysts warn that if the crisis continues, more investment and its risks could jeopardize new investments.

“When warring factions close down, it affects the financial performance of these companies and makes it harder for them to find fault. This could lead to a decision to close down or reduce the sale of goods, depriving locals of these basic services, “said former ATRA’a official Azizi.

It is not only businesses that are affected by the Taliban’s financial and threats to IT and infrastructure. DABS spokesman Niazi told Al Jazeera the cost of repairing the electric pylons has been rising, forcing the state’s finances to be forced.

“When one pint is spent on waste, it costs $ 100,000 to get it back. Some minor repairs cost between $ 500 to $ 5,000, “he said, adding that Afghanistan’s power company has cost about $ 1m in the last six months.

According to Azizi, it is the ordinary citizens who are most affected by the infrastructure damage.

“Aghgh uses the means of communication not only to change their lives but also to connect with their loved ones in such a difficult time,” he said.

“Telecom is a service to the community and a great need for the people of Afghanistan.”

Azizi called on the militant groups to “protect essential services that are not only used by civilians but also by militant groups”.

Niazi said the Taliban insurgents were “enemies of light”, who are turning the necessary weapons into another war.

“To try not only to push the world into physical darkness, but also to intellectual darkness.”