Taliban Leader Meets Three Disgruntled Ministers
On Sunday, Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban’s spokesperson, reported a meeting between the Taliban leader and senior security officials of the group, including Yaqoob Mujahid and Sirajuddin Haqqani.
On Sunday, Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban’s spokesperson, reported a meeting between the Taliban leader and senior security officials of the group, including Yaqoob Mujahid and Sirajuddin Haqqani.
Mujahid later deleted the news of Hibatullah's meeting with these officials, who had at times criticised the group's general policies.
He did not provide any explanation for deleting this post.
The Taliban’s spokesperson had announced that Hibatullah met Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Interior Minister; Yaqoob Mujahid, the Defence Minister; and Abdul Haq Wasiq, General Director of Intelligence, in Kandahar city.
During this meeting, "the heads of security organs presented their progress and activities to the leadership”.
The meetings and sessions of the Taliban leader have been closely watched by observers and the media, given the multiple reports of internal disagreements over the implementation of the Taliban's general policies.
Among the senior Taliban officials, Haqqani and Yaqoob have criticised the government's policies on several occasions.
Yaqoob had told Taliban members in Kabul not to blindly follow anyone’s orders.
He had previously said that arrogance and pride should be set aside, and legitimate demands of the people should be met.
Haqqani had complained about the "monopoly of power" within the Taliban government, saying such behaviour is unacceptable.
Furthermore, at a ceremony marking the second anniversary of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban’s Interior Minister acknowledged that there are differences of opinion among Taliban leaders on how to resolve "problems”.
However, Haqqani immediately emphasised that "the common goal of all is a stable and united Afghanistan”.
The Brookings Institution, a US research institute, had reported that there are serious disagreements among Taliban leaders regarding the group's policies. The report stated that Mullah Hibatullah, the Taliban leader, is stubborn and uncompromising, while Yaqoob is pragmatic and easier for the West to work with.
Nevertheless, following speculations about internal disagreements within the Taliban, the group officials have consistently emphasised unity among the group.
The Taliban Foreign Minister said in a meeting with the group’s spokespersons and supporters in Kabul on Sunday that disagreement and disrupting unity could lead to the downfall and deviation of the regime.
