Former Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Reportedly Detained In Qatar
Qatari intelligence has reportedly detained Abdul Rahman Zahid, a former deputy foreign minister of the Taliban, sources told Afghanistan International.
According to people close to him, Zahid has not been in contact since his detention in late August. He was reportedly taken into custody on 22 August, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Born in 1963 in Kharwar district of Logar province, Zahid served as deputy foreign minister during the Taliban’s first regime and was considered one of the group’s senior figures. Since 2001, sources said, he has engaged in business activities and travelled frequently to Qatar, the UAE, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A Taliban official in Doha confirmed Zahid’s detention and said discussions with Qatari authorities are ongoing to clarify the reasons. The motive behind his arrest remains unclear.
Zahid was also reportedly detained at Dubai airport in September 2015. He remains under UN Security Council sanctions for alleged links to terrorism and sensitive international activities.
