In a bid to counter the rumors, users affiliated with the Haqqani Network shared a new photograph on Sunday featuring Sirajuddin Haqqani alongside Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob and Anas Haqqani. The image, which did not include details about its timing or location, was accompanied by a video of Haqqani delivering a speech. In the video, he emphasized the importance of “serving the reputation and success of the system.” Additionally, a user with ties to Haqqani, posted a friendly photo of Haqqani and Yaqoob Mujahid on Tuesday, which was widely reposted by other accounts linked to Haqqani.

On Monday Taliban’s Ministry of Interior firmly rejected rumors that Sirajuddin Haqqani has stepped down from his role as Interior Minister. The denial comes after weeks of speculation fueled by Haqqani’s prolonged absence from Kabul and reports of discord within the Taliban leadership.

On Monday, Abdul Mateen Qani, the ministry’s spokesperson, dismissed the resignation claims as “false” and called on media outlets to refrain from spreading what he described as “propaganda far from reality.” The ministry issued an official statement emphasizing that such reports were baseless and urged journalists to verify information before publishing.

Speculation about Haqqani’s status intensified due to his nearly 50-day absence from the Interior Ministry. Following trips to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Haqqani did not return to the capital. Instead, sources indicate he relocated to his hometown of Khost and has been moving between there and North Waziristan. Neither Haqqani nor his representatives have provided an official explanation for his extended time away.

Despite these efforts, reports of internal friction persist. Sources claim that Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has shifted Haqqani’s authority to Sadr Ibrahim, the deputy interior minister, and transferred Mullah Yaqoob’s powers at the Defense Ministry to Qayyum Zakir. Both Haqqani and Yaqoob are rumored to have fallen out of favor with Akhundzada, with some portraying them as opposing the leader’s hardline stance.

Tensions between Haqqani and Akhundzada are not new. Last December, Haqqani indirectly criticized the Taliban leadership in a speech, saying, “One should not think that just because I am the ruler, everyone must accept my words, and if they don’t, the sky will fall.” Alongside Yaqoob, Abbas Stanekzai, and other Taliban officials, Haqqani has reportedly expressed frustration with Akhundzada’s extremist and confrontational policies toward the international community. These figures have warned that such an approach could threaten the Taliban regime’s survival.

However, their dissent appears to have had little impact on Akhundzada, who remains based in Kandahar.

Interestingly, Sirajuddin Haqqani’s uncle and a senior taliban leader Khalil Haqqani was killed in Dec 2024 (Read here). Another preacher and a revered religious leader among the Taliban Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq of Haqqania Madrassa was killed in February 2025 (Read here). Both the killings were claimed by terrorist group ISIS– which taliban claims is used by Pakistan Army to target Taliban.

As rumors swirl and divisions deepen, the Taliban’s leadership continues to project unity while grappling with internal challenges that could shape the regime’s future.