KABUL, Afghanistan — Abdul Kabir, formerly the Taliban’s deputy chief minister for political affairs, officially assumed the role of refugee minister on Saturday, nearly 10 days after his appointment.
The Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees stated that an introduction ceremony for Kabir was held under the directive of Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s supreme leader. The event was attended by several Taliban officials, during which Mr. Kabir pledged to take “effective steps” to improve conditions for refugees and returnees.
Kabir succeeds Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, who served as the refugee minister for three years before being killed in a suicide bombing last month. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State affiliate in the region, known as ISIS-K or Daesh Khorasan.
The appointment of Kabir was announced shortly after Mr. Haqqani’s death, but he delayed formally taking office for nine days. Taliban officials have not commented on the reason for the delay.
The Ministry of Refugees, previously led by Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, is reportedly associated with the Haqqani faction within the Taliban. Haqqani, a senior member of the influential network, was the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s acting interior minister and a key figure in the group’s leadership.
Kabir’s appointment comes amid ongoing challenges for Afghanistan’s refugees and displaced populations, as regional deportations and internal displacement continue to strain resources in the war-torn country.
