Restrictions are escalating in Afghanistan: Taliban bans electronic games and table football.

In a new escalation of societal restrictions in Afghanistan, the Taliban government issued a decision to ban electronic games and table football, sparking outrage among youth and entertainment center owners. Local sources reported that authorities closed dozens of gaming centers in the provinces of Herat, Balkh, and Daikondi, among others, claiming that these activities distract youth from their religious duties and violate Islamic law. Taliban officials justified the decision by stating that table football, which includes figurines of players fixed on spinning poles, represents "idols" and is not permissible according to Sharia law. This game is one of the most popular activities in entertainment centers, especially among school and university students. Several entertainment center owners expressed their frustration with the decision, stating that it has caused them significant financial losses. In statements to the "Independent Farsi" newspaper, they mentioned filing complaints to the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, only to receive advice to "look for other work." This new decision adds to a series of restrictions recently imposed by the Taliban on entertainment and sports activities, including the ban on chess as a gambling tool, labeling billiards as a waste of time, and closing cafes offering hookah under the pretext of corrupting youth morals and promoting mingling. The Taliban also prohibited mixed martial arts, describing it as excessively violent, and imposed strict restrictions on sports, especially for women, banning them from engaging in any kind of sports. Additionally, young men were required to wear clothing that conceals their bodies and is not short above the knee while participating in various sports. These strict measures come at a time when youth are facing high unemployment rates and diminishing opportunities for entertainment and self-development. Unofficial estimates indicate that youth and women's unemployment rates exceed 50%, with expectations of further increases under current policies. Observers believe that such decisions may lead to isolation and frustration, pushing youth to consider migration or engage in illegal activities. Many young people accuse the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue of interfering in their private lives under the pretext of "societal reform," calling for an end to these encroachments that deepen the social crisis in the country.