Taliban Appoints Esmail Ghaznavi as New Governor of Badakhshan

The Taliban administration on Saturday, October 24, officially appointed Esmail Ghaznavi as the new governor of Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province. The announcement was made during a formal ceremony attended by religious scholars, tribal elders, and local officials.

Abdul Haq Makhdoum, Deputy Minister for Planning and Strategy at the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior, confirmed the appointment during the event, which took place in the provincial capital. In his speech, Makhdoum emphasized that Ghaznavi was chosen based on the stated criteria of competence, trustworthiness, and readiness to serve.

He also called on local officials to provide effective support to the newly appointed governor and stressed the importance of coordination to ensure security and improve living conditions for Badakhshan residents. Makhdoum also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the previous governor.

Esmail Ghaznavi previously held a position in the Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs, where he served as Deputy for Border Affairs.

Changes in the Taliban’s provincial leadership are considered part of the group’s broader efforts to consolidate administrative and political control across Afghanistan. However, these actions raise concerns due to the ongoing lack of public participation and political legitimacy.