This Video Does Not Show Taliban Smashing Phones
The Claim
A video shows Taliban members smashing mobile phones in Afghanistan.
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Emerging story
Social media accounts have recently shared two videos claiming the first one showed the Pakistani authorities smashing mobile phones after banning them. The second video allegedly showed Taliban members smashing mobile phones in Afghanistan following an alleged Fatwa banning their use in the country.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s team investigated the claim and found it misleading. The video was taken of Pakistani customs officers smashing smuggled mobile phones confiscated recently in the Pakistani city of Hyderabad. Pakistani social media outlets shared the footage in Dec. 2021.
In the video, the Pakistani flag is shown on the uniform of one of the customs officers, which denies allegations that the video was taken of Taliban members.
Goods confiscated by the Pakistani customs authorities are regularly destroyed. A Pakistani official told the BBC that the authorities had destroyed counterfeit and smuggled drugs, alcohol, and mobile phones at the time.
Pakistan is a country that manufactures and exports 4G smartphones.
Translated by Ahmed N. A. Almassri
