Taliban Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Sharaei has said some cabinet ministers would quickly start wearing ties if Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada were no longer in power, informed sources said.
Sources told Afghanistan International that Sharaei made the remarks during a training workshop for military personnel in Kandahar.
He said some ministers did not visit wounded or sick “mujahideen” but found time to meet and check on cricket stars.
Sharaei appeared to be referring to Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who visited the home of former national cricket player Shapoor Zadran to attend a memorial gathering. Haqqani has previously met cricket players and other athletes.
Speaking at a traffic police training workshop in Kandahar, Sharaei said that without Akhundzada, some government ministers would quickly change their current appearance and begin wearing ties.
Sharaei reportedly made the remarks on Tuesday at the Kandahar provincial meeting hall in the presence of about 800 military personnel.
He spoke about the role of leadership and the importance of preserving the Taliban administration’s principles, describing Akhundzada’s presence as essential to maintaining the current system and ensuring officials’ loyalty to its policies.
Reports said the workshop was also attended by Hajj and Religious Affairs Minister Noor Mohammad Saqib, Deputy Hajj Minister Mohammad Hamed Hasib, Kandahar Governor Mullah Mohammad Shirin, senior religious officials, court representatives and other Taliban figures.
The workshop focused on inspection procedures, professional duties, public conduct, responsibility, compliance with Sharia law and the moral obligations of military personnel.
Speakers urged participants to perform their duties honestly, avoid internal disputes and strengthen religious education, piety and the implementation of Sharia.
Sources told Afghanistan International that the seminar lasted 11 hours and participants were not allowed to bring mobile phones or cameras into the hall.
The justice minister’s remarks come after previous reports of disagreements between Haqqani and Sharaei over the eviction of Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar from his home and office, as well as alleged pressure on several businesspeople.
Haqqani, who also leads the Haqqani Network, is regarded as one of the Taliban officials who reportedly supports changes to the group’s policies and greater engagement with domestic and international actors.
Analysts say officials close to the Taliban leadership, including Higher Education Minister Neda Mohammad Nadeem and Sharaei, oppose Haqqani’s more engagement-oriented approach.
Over the past three years, Akhundzada has restricted the activities of the Haqqani Network in Kabul and the provinces, transferred some equipment belonging to its Badri 313 special unit to Kandahar and reduced Haqqani’s authority over appointments.
In February 2025, sources told Afghanistan International that Akhundzada had summoned Hafiz Azizuddin Haqqani, Sirajuddin Haqqani’s brother, to Kandahar over the activities of the Badri 313 unit. He was later removed from his position.
The Taliban have repeatedly denied reports of internal divisions.
