Taliban’s Economic Chief Meets with Saudi Executive and Zalmay Khalilzad Over Gas Pipeline Project
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Taliban, held a high-level meeting yesterday with Shaher Al-Taqi, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Delta International, and Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan.
The meeting focused on cooperation in gas exploration, extraction, and pipeline development across Afghanistan. Al-Taqi expressed strong interest in investing in the country’s energy sector.
As negotiations over American prisoner exchanges progress, Khalilzad’s role in shaping Afghanistan’s future has become increasingly prominent. With backing from the Trump administration and Saudi firms, Khalilzad is leveraging Taliban interests—such as gas development—to advance U.S. strategic goals in the region.
While his exact objectives remain unclear, speculation includes potential military and intelligence use of Bagram Airbase. The evolving cooperation between the Taliban and the U.S., with Khalilzad as a key facilitator, appears to be gaining momentum.
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