Well-informed sources in Kandahar have told media outlets that a Taliban cabinet meeting chaired by Hibatullah Akhundzada was held in the province on Wednesday. According to these sources, the Taliban prime minister also attended the meeting, during which discussions were held on 11 different issues.
Based on the available information, in addition to Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, several senior Taliban officials including Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and the head of intelligence Abdul Haq Wasiq were also present. However, the Taliban have not yet released any official details regarding the meeting.
Sources say 11 separate topics were discussed during the meeting, although the specifics of these issues have not been disclosed.
Previously, reports suggested that internal Taliban discussions regarding the reopening of schools and universities for girls had concluded, and that Hibatullah Akhundzada intended to expand his policies with new restrictions, including preventing the publication of images of living beings.
Sources close to the Taliban in Kandahar had also earlier stated that the Taliban leader has emphasized full implementation of the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law and has warned cabinet members who oppose certain decrees.
According to these reports, these directives were first implemented in Kandahar, where strict restrictions on media and the publication of images are currently in place. In contrast, some sources claim that in other provinces such as Kabul, these directives are being enforced with less intensity.
There are also reports indicating internal disagreements within the Taliban structure regarding the implementation of orders and the degree of strictness in their enforcement.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
