Afghanistan International: After recent remarks by the Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, demanding unconditional obedience, some Taliban members have criticised him, saying his comments suggest he sees himself “in the position of a prophet”. So far, only Sirajuddin Haqqani and Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai have publicly criticised Akhundzada, while other members have not voiced criticism openly.
Amu: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada made no reference to recent Pakistani attacks, the ongoing clashes with Pakistan or the issue of girls’ education in a lengthy message issued for the Eid holiday. Instead, the message focused largely on calls for obedience to him, prayers for his protection and the survival of the Taliban rule, and
Afghanistan International: Afghanistan’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva said Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has become increasingly isolated and is under constant scrutiny from foreign surveillance and political pressure. Nasir Ahmad Andisha said Akhundzada disapproves of the repeated visits to Kabul by Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special envoy for Afghanistan,
Amu: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has appointed 15 Taliban officials to new positions, including their provincial governors, deputy governors and senior security officials, according to a statement. According to a notice released by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Gul Haidar Shafaq, previously Taliban governor of Jawzjan, was appointed governor of Bamiyan, while Abdullah Sarhadi, the Taliban
Amu: Details of the meeting have not been made public, but the visit came days after Haqqani sharply criticised the Taliban’s style of governance in a speech in the eastern province of Khost on December 12. Following his trip to Kandahar, the Taliban’s traditional power centre, Haqqani struck a markedly different tone, publicly stressing obedience
Afghanistan International: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has urged members of the group to “recognise their limits and authority” after assuming office, warning against discord, negligence and arbitrary conduct. His remarks follow comments by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, who recently said the group governs through humiliation, violence, fear and intimidation. Click here to read
Afghanistan International: As the world marks World Television Day on, the Taliban’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, continues efforts to curb visual media in Afghanistan. Television broadcasting in Afghanistan began in 1978 with the establishment of National Radio and Television under the Soviet-backed government, an institution now fully controlled by the Taliban. Over the past four years,
Afghanistan International: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has convened the group’s senior officials including governors and district chiefs in Kandahar to discuss the future of Bagram Air Base and other key issues, sources told Afghanistan International. The three-day meeting began on Saturday, 4 October, in Kandahar, the group’s stronghold. According to the sources, Akhundzada plans to
Amu: Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has summoned members of his cabinet to Kandahar for consultations on the future of Bagram air base following repeated calls by U.S. President Donald Trump to reclaim the facility, multiple sources told Amu. The sources said the cabinet meeting is expected in the coming days and invitations have already
Afghanistan International: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is reportedly angry with Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar for meeting a US delegation without his approval and without the presence of his trusted aides, sources told Afghanistan International. The sources said Akhundzada insists that his loyal representatives must attend all meetings between Taliban officials and foreign envoys.