The Taliban has finally announced the formation of an ‘acting’ government and named Mullah Hasan Akhund as the head of the state, confirmed the insurgent group .
The Taliban Cabinet was announced by the group’s chief spokesperson Habihullah Mujahid and a string of veteran Talibani leaders was named in it.
However, one name that stood out in the Cabinet is Serajuddin Haqqani. Haqqani has been named the new Interior Minister in the Taliban-led government in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
However, he also features in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) most wanted list and has a reward of $5 million on his head.
The US Department of State is offering a reward of up to USD5 million for information leading directly to the arrest of Serajuddin Haqqani.
The FBI’s official website says Haqqani is thought to stay in Pakistan, specifically the Miram Shah, North Waziristan, Pakistan, area. He is reportedly a senior leader of the Haqqani network, and maintains close ties to the Taliban and al Qaeda. Haqqani is a specially designated global terrorist, says the FBI.
The US’ top investigation agency further adds Haqqani is wanted for questioning in connection with the January 2008 attack on a hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, that killed six people, including an American citizen. He is believed to have coordinated and participated in cross-border attacks against United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Haqqani also allegedly was involved in the planning of the assassination attempt on Afghan President Hamid Karzai in 2008, reads the website.