Taliban deputy prime minister of the cabinet, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has found himself in Time’s list 100 most influential people of 2021. The list describes him as a “charismatic military leader” and a “deeply pious figure”.

Time’s Magazine released its highly anticipated annual list of ‘The 100 Most Influential People of 2021’ on Wednesday. The list includes names of leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan, former US President Donald Trump, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and  Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

“When the Taliban swept to victory in August in Afghanistan, it was on the terms Baradar negotiated. He was said to be making all the major decisions, including the amnesty offered to members of the former regime, the lack of bloodshed when the Taliban entered Kabul and the regime’s contacts and visits with neighbouring states, especially China and Pakistan,” the magazine wrote, eulogising the Taliban leader.

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“Now he stands as the fulcrum for the future of Afghanistan. In the interim Taliban government, he was made a Deputy Prime Minister, the top role given to another leader more acceptable to the younger, more hard-line generation of Taliban commanders,” it said.

“Quiet and secretive Baradar represents a moderate face of the Taliban, the one “that will be thrust into the limelight to win Western support and desperately needed financial aid”,” it said.

After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, Mullah Baradar was appointed as the deputy prime minister in the new all-male government. He had been serving as the head of government, as present prime minister Akhundzada is more inclined towards religion, instead of administration. Contrastingly, Mullah Baradar continues to be the diplomatic face of the Taliban. However, his sudden disappearance has led to speculations that he might be severely injured.