Abdul Ghani Baradar

Abdul Ghani Baradar (born 1968) is a co-founder of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan and was the deputy leader of the group until the fall of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in 2001. He served as the First Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan from 7 September 2021 until 15 August 2022, and again since 20 September 2022.

Early life and education:

Baradar was born in 1968 in the Weetmak village of Deh Rawood district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. He is a member of the Popalzai tribe of Pashtuns. He studied at a religious school in Pakistan and later fought against the Soviet Union during the Soviet–Afghan War.

Taliban activities:

Baradar is one of the original members of the Taliban movement, which was founded in 1994. He served as a military commander and was responsible for the capture of several provinces in Afghanistan. In 1996, he was appointed Minister of Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Capture and imprisonment:

Baradar was captured by Pakistani security forces in 2010 and was held in prison until 2018. His release was negotiated by the United States as part of the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan.

Return to Afghanistan and peace negotiations:

After his release, Baradar returned to Afghanistan and became the head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar. He led the Taliban delegation in peace negotiations with the Afghan government and the United States.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan:

In September 2021, Baradar was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country. He is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the government.

Controversies:

Baradar has been accused of being involved in human rights abuses during the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan. He has also been criticized for his close ties to Pakistan.

Personal life:

Baradar is married and has several children. He is fluent in Pashto, Dari, and Arabic.