Shir Ahmad Haqqani
| Minister of Information and Culture | |
|---|---|
| Assumed office 1 September 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Hasan Akhund |
| Supreme Leader | Hibatullah Akhundzada |
| Preceded by | Khairullah Khairkhwa |
| Governor of Laghman | |
| In office 2024–2025 | |
| Governor of Nuristan | |
| In office 2023–2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 (age 57–58) Nirkh District, Afghanistan |
| Alma mater | Darul Uloom Haqqania |
Political affiliation | Taliban |
Sheikh Shir Ahmad Haqqani[a] (born 1968), also spelled Sher Ahmad Haqqani, is an Afghan politician who has served as the minister of Information and Culture since September 2025. He previously served as governor of Laghman Province from 2024 to 2025 and governor of Nuristan Province from 2023 to 2024.
Early life and education
Haqqani was born in the Nirkh District of Maidan Wardak Province, Afghanistan to Abdul Qadeer.[1] He received his early education at home before obtaining higher Islamic studies at Darul Uloom Haqqania, Peshawar Pakistan.[1]
Career
From the early years of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, then known as the Taliban movement, Haqqani was associated with the Taliban and held several administrative and judicial positions.[2] During the first Taliban government in Afghanistan (1996–2001), he served as head of the Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Maidan Wardak Province.[1]
During the United States invasion of Afghanistan, Haqqani held a number of positions within the Taliban movement, including chairman of the Provincial clCommission for Maidan Wardak Province, deputy governor of Logar Province, member of the Taliban's Central Military Commission, member of the Institutions Commission, and head of Investigations at the Taliban's High Judicial Authority.[1]
Following the 2021 Taliban offensive, Haqqani continued to serve in Taliban government positions. He was appointed head of Inspections at the Supreme Court, later serving as deputy governor of Maidan Wardak Province. In 2023, he became governor of Nuristan Province, and in 2024 he was appointed governor of Laghman Province.[1]
On 1 September 2025, Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada appointed Haqqani as minister of Information and Culture.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Biography of the minister". Ministry of Information and Culture. Archived from the original on 2026-01-15. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ Azizi, Ahmad (2025-09-01). "Shir Ahmad Haqqani appointed as Taliban's minister of information and culture". Amu TV. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ Rahmani, Nooragha (2025-09-03). "Shaikh Sher Ahmad Haqqani Takes Office as Minister of Information and Culture". RTA - Radio Television of Afghanistan. Retrieved 2026-05-24.