Former Deputy Foreign Minister Attends Taliban Administration Power Contract Signing in Kabul

Javed Lodin, former deputy minister of foreign affairs in the previous government, traveled to Kabul to attend the signing ceremony of an electricity production contract between the Taliban administration and Azizi Energy Company.

According to reports, Lodin currently works for the companies of Afghan businessman Mirwais Azizi. Photos published by the Taliban Arg and Azizi Group on Wednesday, 22 Dalu, show Lodin, who served as political deputy foreign minister in the previous government, seated in the front row alongside Taliban officials.

During Hamid Karzai's government, Lodin worked as presidential spokesman, chief of staff to the president and Afghanistan's ambassador to Canada. In 1391, while serving as political deputy foreign minister, he met with U.S. officials in Washington and called for the United States to place the Taliban on its list of terrorist groups. Lodin stated at the time that those sending suicide bombers to Afghanistan and killing civilians should be recognized as terrorists.

The Taliban's economic deputy ministry announced on Wednesday the practical launch of five electricity production projects by Azizi Energy Investment Company in Afghanistan. Lodin participated in the ceremony as an employee of Azizi companies.