After months of silence and amid reports of a growing rift within the Taliban’s ranks, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, appeared at a public gathering in Kabul and delivered a message of allegiance to the Taliban’s reclusive supreme leader.
Speaking at a seminar on administrative reform and capacity-building, Haqqani referred to Hibatullah Akhundzada as a “source of education and guidance,” emphasizing his central role in shaping the Taliban’s governance.
“The statements of Hibatullah are a source of learning for us,” Haqqani said in remarks directed at Taliban officials. “He works with us beyond what any human capacity would allow. He educates us.”
The comments mark a notable shift in tone, following months of reported tensions between the Haqqanis and Taliban leadership in Kandahar. The split had reportedly intensified after Akhundzada ordered a 20 percent reduction in Taliban military and government structures earlier this year — a move that triggered concern among Haqqani-aligned officials seeking to preserve their ranks within the movement.
Haqqani’s speech, delivered at a conference attended by department heads from across Taliban ministries, included calls for improved public service, streamlined governance, and stronger links between citizens and the state. “You are the implementers of government decisions,” he told attendees. “People come to your doors. You are the connection between the people and the government.”
He also framed professional development and administrative training as essential to the Taliban’s broader goals. “Administrative training is not a weakness; it is a point of pride,” he said. “We must always strive for learning and professional progress.”
Haqqani underscored the need for clarity in decision-making and warned against bureaucratic delays. “If something is unclear, it should be referred to senior officials,” he said. “But the affairs of the people must not be stalled under the pretext of reviews.”
He concluded by reaffirming what he described as Akhundzada’s relentless work ethic and commitment to reform. “Day and night, the leadership works to strengthen the Islamic system and advance reforms,” he said.
While Haqqani’s remarks may signal an attempt to present a united front, two Taliban sources recently told Amu TV that tensions between Kandahar-based leadership and Haqqani-aligned officials have not fully subsided. Both factions are reportedly working to preserve their influence, even at the “lowest military levels.”
So far, the Taliban have not publicly addressed the internal disagreements, and Akhundzada has remained largely out of sight.
