Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada reiterated his commitment to enforcing “hudud,” or Islamic legal punishments, during a visit to Faryab province on Sunday, according to Taliban officials. Akhundzada met with Taliban officials, emphasizing the implementation of these strict religious laws by both civilian and military authorities under his control.
Details of Akhundzada’s trip and its purpose have been kept largely under wraps, with the Taliban releasing little information. It appears that the leader did not engage directly with local residents, nor did he address their grievances, according to the Taliban’s official statements.
Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan more than three years ago, there have been few reports of Akhundzada traveling to the provinces. This visit marks the first indication of what seems to be a series of regional tours, starting in the northern and northwestern parts of the country. Just a day earlier, the Taliban announced his visit to Badghis province, where he stressed the importance of obedience to his rule.
Akhundzada’s interactions during these visits have been mostly confined to meetings with Taliban officials and religious leaders, with ordinary citizens, many of whom face severe challenges such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment, notably absent.
Ghulam Farooq Aleem, a university professor, commented on the situation, saying, “The law on the promotion of virtue that he has enacted is being strictly enforced. That’s why he is traveling to various provinces, not to speak with the people or listen to their concerns, but to instruct local officials on how to impose further restrictions.”
The Taliban leader’s visit to the north comes shortly after his recent signing of the “Promotion of Virtue” law, which includes a host of new restrictions, particularly targeting women. During his visit to Faryab, Taliban-controlled state television aired footage of officials pledging their loyalty to Akhundzada and committing to the full enforcement of his directives.
Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban’s Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, stated, “This law that has been enacted is our responsibility to implement fully, from beginning to end. We will enforce it as long as we are in power.”
In conjunction with his regional tour, Akhundzada has also made several administrative changes in Balkh province, affecting institutions such as the Department of Promotion of Virtue, the university, and other local offices. However, these changes appear to be largely internal reshuffles, with Taliban loyalists being moved from one position to another, following what seems to be the group’s standard practice.
The Taliban have released limited information about Akhundzada’s travels and have not disclosed which provinces he plans to visit next. Over the past three years, the Taliban leader has remained largely hidden from public view, avoiding direct interaction with the Afghan populace.
