From Flattery in the Republic to Promoting the Taliban; Oaths Taken Under the Gun in the Name of Sports.
Local sources in Badakhshan report that Haji Shukrullah, known as “Bache Mullah Tasbih,” once close to local officials during the Republic era, has now joined the ranks of active local Taliban supporters.
According to sources, in past years, he leveraged family influence and close ties with security and municipal officials to play an active role in informal power cycles, acquiring substantial assets, part of which came from illegal seizure and transactions of urban properties.
Reports indicate that after the political regime change, Haji Shukrullah continued his activities under seemingly cultural and sports programs. By organizing traditional wrestling competitions, he gathers unemployed and less-informed youth and uses these gatherings to promote the Taliban.
In a recent case, young people from Shighnan district were called to a sports event, at the conclusion of which an oath of allegiance was announced for Jumaa Khan Fateh, known as “Tablanawaz,” who calls himself the “Conqueror of Gates.”
Local observers view this as an example of exploiting sports and social sentiment to advance political goals. They argue that such programs not only turn sports into arenas for ideological competition but also legitimize individuals accused of serious crimes, including violence and drug trafficking. Critics emphasize that continued social unawareness over the years has allowed such figures to emerge, and the same gap is now used to strengthen Taliban influence locally.
