Consensus reached, new government in Afghanistan to be announced in a few days: Taliban official

The Taliban and other Afghan leaders have reached a "consensus" on the formation of a new government under the leadership of the group's supreme commander and top ‘spiritual leader’ Haibatullah Akhundzada, while Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of his three deputies, is likely to be in charge of the daily functioning of the government, Reuters has reported, quoting Bilal Karimi, a member of the group's ‘cultural commission’.

"The consultations on forming an inclusive Afghan government within the Islamic Emirate's leaders, with the leaders from previous government and other influential leaders have officially ended," Karimi was quoted as having said. "They have reached a consensus. We're about to announce a functioning cabinet and government in a few days, not weeks," he added, as per the news report.

The Taliban was waiting for the full withdrawal of US troops before making any announcements about their government, said a senior official who asked not to be identified because of the private nature of the talks. Both Akhundzada and Baradar will soon make a public appearance in Kabul, the official added, the report said.

The US officially ended its longest war around midnight on Monday (Afghan time), following which the Taliban have been jubilant.

Akhundzada is currently in the southern city of Kandahar, the group's stronghold, where he led a three-day conference of top Taliban and other Afghan leaders, Zabihullah Mujahed, the group's main spokesman had said on Tuesday.

National Herald had earlier carried a piece that the Taliban may opt for the Iran model of governance, with a ‘Supreme Leader’ at the top while a functional government looks after the administration.