Taliban leader swaps transport minister with defense ministry deputy

Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban, stated that Hibatullah Akhundzada, the group's leader, issued an order leading to changes in senior positions at the Taliban Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.

Under the changes, Mohammad Fazil Mazloom, previously the first deputy of the Ministry of Defense, has been appointed as minister of transport and civil aviation. In a corresponding move, Hamidullah Akhundzada, the former minister of transport and civil aviation, has been named first deputy of the Ministry of Defense.

Additionally, Azizur Rahman Mansour, former deputy minister of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Hajj and Endowments, was appointed as governor of Parwan province. Torjan Ahmad, previously the Taliban deputy in Nimruz province, was appointed governor of Daikundi province.

Over the past more than four years, Taliban appointments to government positions under their administration have primarily involved swapping existing figures between roles, with few new faces introduced. Some Afghan citizens have criticized the increasing poverty, stating that they have been removed from their jobs and their positions given to Taliban members.