Three sources in the Taliban’s Ministry of Water and Energy tell Tolo News that Mullah Sardar Wali Hamza has been appointed as technical advisor to the Kabul River Basin Directorate, in the second grade position.

Sources told Tolo News on Monday, September 28 (Mizan 6), confirming that Hamza does not possess technical knowledge or expertise related to water management and engineering, and according to them, he also faces serious problems in reading and writing.

According to sources, the “technical advisor” position is considered one of the important positions in the structure of river basin directorates, and the holder of this position, according to the duties charter, plays a role in reviewing documents and matters related to financial affairs, the water sector, and engineering affairs.

Sources add that Sardar Wali Hamza previously worked as the head of Breshna (electricity) in Baghlan province, but was removed from his position due to the dismissal of a number of technical employees from their duties.

The appointment of an individual lacking technical expertise to this position comes as Kabul faces a serious water shortage crisis, and the management of water resources and the development of water transfer projects are of particular importance.

At the same time, the project to transfer water from the Panjshir River to Kabul is also under discussion, and if this project is implemented, technical and engineering assessments and water resource management will be among the important issues in its implementation process.

Sources say that the appointment of a technical advisor for the Kabul River Basin Directorate under such circumstances has raised concerns about this department’s ability to advance and evaluate important water projects.

The Taliban have so far not commented on this appointment and the educational and professional background of Sardar Wali Hamza.