PERSON: Abdul Qahar Balkhi

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Spokesperson & Director General of Communications

Abdul Qahar Balkhi 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. 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. He also served the Taliban media office in the early 2010s.

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.

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