RASC News Agency: The Taliban’s Ministry of Justice has dismissed reports of Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Shara’i’s resignation, which have been widely circulated across media platforms and social networks. The ministry asserted that Shara’i traveled to Dubai under the direct orders of Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada for medical treatment and is expected to return soon to resume his official duties. However, an audio recording leaked to the media features Shara’i explicitly announcing his resignation in protest against widespread corruption and ethnic favoritism within the Taliban’s leadership. In the recording, he claims to have repeatedly submitted his resignation due to the entrenched corruption within the Taliban administration, only to have it consistently rejected.
Following the circulation of this recording, the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice acknowledged that Shara’i had indeed traveled to the UAE, but brushed off reports of his resignation as mere speculation. In the leaked statement, Shara’i expresses his frustration over the lack of cooperation from provincial Taliban authorities with the Ministry of Justice, alleging that many local Taliban officials are directly involved in land grabbing or are complicit in protecting those who engage in it. Addressing provincial Taliban heads, he states:
“We have issued multiple official directives requesting the identification of officials involved in illegal land seizures or those shielding them, yet no action has been taken.”
Shara’i further stresses that, under a verbal decree from Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, all cases concerning state-owned land unlawfully occupied by individuals must be swiftly adjudicated. Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry insists that Shara’i remains committed to the Taliban’s governance and views obedience to the Emir (Akhundzada) as a fundamental principle in upholding the regime’s stability. The Taliban formally recognize Akhundzada as their supreme Emir. In a scathing rebuke to Taliban officials, Shara’i accuses them of systemic corruption, cronyism, and dereliction of duty, stating:
“Your ongoing negligence makes it clear that corruption has infected all of you. The so-called technical committees are corrupt. You refuse to act. You prioritize ethnic and personal allegiances. Some of you openly accept bribes. Where is your so-called jihad? Where is your faith? What happened to your religious principles?”
Shara’i reiterates that he has submitted multiple resignation requests to the Taliban’s leadership, including the Prime Minister and cabinet, all of which have been rejected. Expressing dismay over the misappropriation of public funds, he warns:
“Even if my resignation is not accepted, I have now initiated a process. Whether this process is long or short, it will force you to either fulfill your responsibilities or step down. If you refuse to resign, then you are nothing but thieves and usurpers regardless of the robes you wear.”
His resignation and denunciation of widespread corruption within the Taliban come at a time of escalating internal discord within the group. Several senior Taliban officials have left Afghanistan amid rising tensions, further fueling speculation of a looming leadership crisis. Following Abbas Stanikzai’s escape to the UAE, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and has yet to return. Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar has been in Dubai for over a week.
