Politics

Taliban appoint caretaker prime minister due to incumbent’s illness

Kabul, May 17 (EFE) – The Taliban government has appointed a new acting prime minister as the incumbent, Mohammad Hassan Akhund, is unwell, according to a government spokesperson.

Supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has appointed Maulavi Abdul Kabir, who previously served as deputy prime minister in political affairs.

He will take charge of administrative affairs to ensure smooth functioning of the office, said the spokesperson, Mohammad Hassan Haqyar.

Hassan Akhund was appointed prime minister in 2021 after the Taliban took control of Kabul in August of that year.

Abdul Kabir has been a prominent Taliban leader for over two decades and was a member of the Qatar political office during negotiations with the United States and the previous Afghan government.

Hassan Akhund is from Baberyan tribe of Kandahar province, while Abdul Kabir is from the Zadran tribe of Paktika province of Afghanistan, the same region as Sirajudin Haqqani, the current interior minister and head of the Haqqani network.

According to a Taliban deputy spokesperson, Bilal Karimi, Hassan Akhund has been resting in the southern Kandahar province for the past month.

Taliban’s chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated on Twitter that the appointment is temporary and a routine procedure.

He confirmed that Hassan Akhund will soon return to his office, clarifying that he is currently in Kandahar for rest and treatment while Abdul Kabir acts as caretaker.

However, sources within the Taliban government told EFE that Hassan Akhund is ill and may not return to his office, despite the supreme leader not accepting his resignation.

The sources suggest that although Akhund was dissatisfied with his work, his close relationship with Akhundzada prevented his resignation. EFE

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