Kabul, Afghanistan – Informed sources within the Taliban’s Interior Ministry revealed that Mohammad Qasim Khalid, the former deputy counter-narcotics chief recently dismissed by Hebatullah Akhundzada, He intended to reveal the names of Taliban officials involved in drugs trafficking.
Sources, according to Afghanistan International, indicated that Khalid
was preparing to formally inform Taliban leader Hibatullah
about the involvement of several commanders in drug smuggling networks.
Officials’ recommendation
The sources explained that Khaled presented this information
during the ministry’s weekly meeting on Friday, November 21, 2025.
Khaled was dismissed on November 18, 2025, based on the recommendation of officials
accused of involvement in the drug trade,
and with the approval of Akhundzadeh.
Then Abdel Rahman Munir, the former head of the reforms committee, was appointed as his replacement.
Information indicates that Khaled, who was later transferred to the Reforms Committee,
He is unhappy about being removed from his position in the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Close associates of the movement’s leader
Sources confirmed that a number of Taliban officials involved in drug cultivation
and smuggling, and close to the movement’s leader,
They exerted pressure through Mullah Shirin, the governor of Kandahar,
and Mullah Fazel, the deputy defense minister.
This was to push Akhundzadeh to dismiss Khalid and remove him from his position.
The sources also reported that Mullah Shirin and Mullah Fazel convinced Akhundzadeh
That Abdul Rahman Munir, the former head of the reforms committee,
is an opponent of the Pakistani Taliban,
He should be replaced by Mohammed Qasim Khalid because
of his “good relations” with the Pakistani Taliban leadership.
