Abdul Qahar Balkhi | |
|---|---|
| Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs | |
| Assumed office 25 September 2021 | |
| Minister | Amir Khan Muttaqi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 July 1988 Baghlan, Afghanistan |
| Political party |  Taliban |
| Occupation | Minister |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Jurisprudence | Hanafi |
| Movement | Deobandi |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Afghanistan |
| Branch/service | Cultural Commission |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) |
Abdul Qahar Balkhi (Pashto: عبدالقهار بلخي) is an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan official and the current spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan since 25 September 2021.[1] He was designated as a member of the Taliban's Cultural Commission after the fall of Kabul until his exact role in the Taliban government was determined.[2] He also served the Taliban media office in the early 2010s.[3]
Balkhi first appeared publicly at the Taliban's first press conference on 17 August 2021, after the fall of Kabul. During the press conference, he interpreted for the spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. On 22 August 2021, he was interviewed by Charlotte Bellis of Al Jazeera in the group's first official interview. During the interview, he thanked New Zealand for providing financial support to Afghanistan following the takeover, given their donations to the UN and Red Cross.[4][5]
- ^ "Taliban urge international airlines to resume Afghan flights". 27 September 2021.
- ^ "دارالحکومت تبدیل کرنے پر بھی بات ہو رہی ہے: طالبان رہنما". 22 August 2021.
- ^ إندبيندنت», ترجمة: ع خ عن «ذي. "معركة على الإنترنت بين "طالبان" و"إيساف"". www.emaratalyoum.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Taliban leader Abdul Qahar Balkhi speaks about group's future".
- ^ "Taliban thanks NZ for financial aid for Afghanistan". TVNZ. Retrieved 24 August 2021.