Taliban’s Interior Minister Orders Expansion of Mullah Omar’s Shrine in Zabul
Sirajuddin Haqqani, acting interior minister of the Taliban administration and leader of the Haqqani network, visited the tomb attributed to Mullah Muhammad Omar, the founder of the Taliban, in Zabul province. He has ordered the reconstruction and expansion of the shrine area to reportedly accommodate a larger number of visitors.
According to reports from sources affiliated with the Taliban administration, Haqqani urged officials to expedite development and construction efforts during his inspection of the site. The tomb is located in the Omarzo area of the Sery district in Zabul province.
The Taliban administration officially acknowledged the burial site attributed to Mullah Omar about three and a half years ago. Despite ongoing construction and the establishment of surrounding facilities, the costs spent on the project have not been transparently disclosed, although evidence suggests significant amounts have been invested.
Mullah Omar founded the Taliban in the 1990s amid Afghanistan’s internal conflicts and, taking advantage of the power vacuum following the fall of the mujahideen government, seized large parts of the country. The Taliban administration claims that he passed away in 2013 due to “divine destiny”.
The focus on developing the founder’s shrine comes as the country grapples with widespread economic and livelihood challenges, with many residents complaining about shortages of basic services—raising questions about the priorities of the Taliban administration.
