Taliban’s Balkh Governor Urges Full Enforcement Of Group’s Leader Orders In North
Taliban governor of Balkh, Yousuf Wafa, has urged the full implementation of decrees issued by the group’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.
He has also stressed on tighter enforcement of the Taliban’s “propagation of virtue” law, during a coordination meeting of senior officials from northern Afghanistan.
According to the Taliban, the meeting, held in Sar-e Pol province on Friday, brought together governors, police chiefs, intelligence directors, and members of the religious scholars council from Balkh, Jowzjan, Faryab, Samangan, and Sar-e Pol.
The Balkh governor’s office said the session focused on applying Akhundzada’s decrees, reviewing regional security, and strengthening the Taliban’s governance system. Wafa told attendees the orders should be implemented first within government offices before being explained to the public by clerics.
Officials at the meeting agreed that at least four of the leader’s decrees should be read aloud and explained at all official gatherings. The statement said participants also discussed preventing the removal of Taliban fighters from government roles, imposing restrictions on smartphone use, and “facilitating the implementation of Sharia punishments” for offenders.
Wafa urged vigilance against security threats, telling officials to “work to neutralise the enemy’s malicious plans in time.”
Considered one of Akhundzada’s close allies, Wafa wields significant authority in northern Afghanistan and regularly receives performance reports on Taliban governors in the region.
