Sources told Afghanistan International that the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada labeled foreign organisations in Afghanistan as "spies" during a meeting in Kandahar and called for their closure.
According to sources, a number of members of the Taliban's cabinet opposed the request, and no final decision has been made on the matter yet.
The Taliban leader has summoned members of the group's cabinet to Kandahar for an emergency meeting.
According to information received by Afghanistan International, Hibatullah Akhundzada expressed concern about the activities of foreign organisations in Afghanistan, in addition to various issues.
The Taliban leader has claimed that foreign organisations in Afghanistan are doing "intelligence work" and should be shut down.
Sources said that members of the Taliban's cabinet have opposed Hibatullah Akhundzada's request, saying that it is "not possible to make a decision in one day”.
Members of the Taliban's cabinet have said that the group's intelligence agency is currently active and will take action in case of any observation of espionage activity by foreign organisations.
In addition, the Taliban's cabinet has argued that the closure of foreign organisations will increase the distance between the international community and the group.
‘Deepening Divisions Within Taliban’
Sources told Afghanistan International that Mullah Hibatullah's recent order to close medical institutions for girls has exacerbated divisions within the group.
According to information received by Afghanistan International, a number of members of the Taliban's cabinet have opposed Mullah Hibatullah's decision.
According to our source, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's deputy prime minister for economic affairs, is among those who are unhappy with Mullah Hibatullah's recent decision. In this regard, Mullah Hibatullah had summoned the cabinet members to Kandahar to gain their support.
Another source told Afghanistan International that Mullah Hibatullah had consulted with the ministers of higher education before issuing the decree on the closure of medical institutions for girls.
The Taliban's spokesman confirmed that the Kandahar meeting was held in the presence of the group's leader. The Taliban has not officially commented on the details of the meeting so far.
