Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Thursday denied rumours that the group’s Prime Minister Mullah Hasan Akhund has been replaced by his deputy. Earlier in the day, reports of the Taliban government’s Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar replacing Akhund started doing rounds on social media.
Subsequently, Mujahid, in a tweet, clarified that media reports of any reshuffle of the prime minister and changes in the cabinet were untrue. “There has been no change in the cabinet of the Islamic Emirate or anywhere else,” he added.
In September, the Taliban appointed Akhund as its new head of state. Prior to his ascension to the top office, Akhund was the head of the Taliban’s Rehbari Shura or leadership council. He hails from Kandahar and is also said to be one of the founders of the movement. – News Desk
United States.
The development comes two days after US President Joe Biden said that India was an exception among Washington’s allies with its “shaky” response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Addressing a meeting of US business leaders in Washington Monday, Biden said there had been “a united front throughout Nato and in the Pacific”. AGENCIES