Will uphold Sharia law, protect human rights and respect international treaties: Taliban issue first statement on new Afghan govt

Taliban, on behalf of its Supreme Leader (Amir-ul Muminin) Hibatullah Akhundzada, also issued its first statement highlighting the future policies of the new Afghanistan government and said that it will uphold Sharia law, protect human rights and respect international treatise.

KABUL: After days of hectic negotiations and deliberations, the Taliban declared the restoration of their Islamic Emirate and named a new government, excluding other political forces and giving control of internal security to a US-designated terrorist. The naming of the new caretaker government also came four days before the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks that triggered the US invasion of Afghanistan. While announcing the new interim government, the Taliban chose one of their founders - Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund - as their head, while Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was named his deputy. The Taliban released the names of the new Afghan PM, two deputies and over 25 cabinet portfolios including the Defence, Foreign, Intel ministries.