KABUL: The top spokesman for Afghanistan’s Taliban administration will relocate his office from the capital to the southern city of Kandahar. According to the communications ministry, indicating the region’s growing importance as the home of the country’s supreme commander.
Kandahar province is the historical birthplace of the Taliban movement.
Haibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader, lives there and makes few public appearances in Kabul. That is roughly 450 kilometres (280 miles) to the north. Where national government offices, the cabinet, and the acting prime minister are located.
“Zabihullah Mujahid and Samangani both transferred to Kandahar,” said Abdul Maten Qanee. An information ministry official, referring to Innamullah Samangani, a deputy spokesman.
It is one of the first reported examples of a senior Taliban administration official relocating their office from the capital.
The communications ministry did not explain on the reason for the change but it appears that officials located in Kandahar will be given more prominence.
According to officials, major decisions such as restricting girls’ and women’s access to high school and university. As well as prohibiting most female NGO workers from working, have originated from Akhundzada in Kandahar. It have been enforced by ministries in Kabul.
Mujahid has been one of the Taliban’s most prominent public figures for many years. Notably during their insurgency, which ended when they took power after US-led foreign forces withdrew in 2021.
Though he communicated with reporters via phone and text message on a regular basis, he first disclosed himself at a news conference shortly after the Taliban took power.
