After a long spell of speculation, the Taliban has finally announced the formation of a new government that will be led by Mohammad Hassan Akhund. The official announcement in this regard was made by Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson of the Taliban on Tuesday. According to some media reports in Pakistan, Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada, who is the head of the outfit proposed the name of Mohammad Hassan Akhund for the top post.
It is important to note that the name of Mohammad Hassan Akhund still figures in the list of terrorists declared by the United Nations for allegedly his role in the destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas in 2001. The spokesperson of the Taliban highlighted the fact that this arrangement is not permanent and the announced government is just an acting government. The important structural element in the new government is the appointment of two deputies for each minister which will help to streamline the work of the ministers. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar along with Mawlavi Hanafi will act as deputies to the Mohammad Hassan Akhund.
Another interesting name in the government is the interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani who carries a reward of $5 million announced by the state department of the US. He was listed as the main accused in the number of terror attacks in the Kabul by FBI. Haqqani was also allegedly involved in planning the assassination attempt on the now exiled president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai in the year 2008. Mullah Yaqoob, on the other hand, will act as the new Defense Minister in the government. Just so you know Mullah Yaqoob is the son of Mullah Omar, the founder of the Taliban.
