Tamim Aasi, who served as Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of National Defense under the previous republican government, has shared remarks from a close associate who recently traveled to Kandahar and met with Mullah Shirin Akhund, the Taliban-appointed governor of Kandahar.
In a post on X, Aasi said his associate, whose identity he did not disclose, has significant influence in Helmand and recently visited Kandahar, where he met with the Taliban official.
According to Aasi, the associate described the Taliban as “absolute poison” for Afghanistan and expressed the view that the group’s rule would ultimately destroy the country.
The comments offer an insight into continuing criticism of Taliban governance from figures and individuals associated with Afghanistan’s former political establishment. Kandahar remains particularly significant because it is considered the Taliban’s traditional stronghold and is closely linked to the group’s senior leadership.
Aasi did not provide further details about the meeting or explain what was discussed between his associate and Mullah Shirin Akhund. He also did not identify the individual or independently substantiate the views attributed to him.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has faced criticism over its policies, restrictions on women and girls, governance practices and treatment of political opponents and civil society.
The remarks shared by Aasi reflect the continuing debate among Afghan political figures and influential individuals over the Taliban’s impact on the country’s future and whether its current system of governance can address Afghanistan’s political, economic and social challenges.