Libertarian_Guard
19th September 2013, 06:26 PM
A former Afghan senator and district governor has defected to the Taliban in the northern province of Sar-e-Pol, officials have told the BBC.
Qazi Abdul Hai served as a senator between 2004 and 2008 and was later made a district governor in Sar-e-Pol.
Correspondents say he is thought to be the highest-ranking civilian official to have joined the Taliban.
The move comes as foreign combat forces prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014 and ahead of elections next year.
Mr Hai is believed to have defected to the Taliban along with two of his bodyguards on Tuesday.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24159810
Qazi Abdul Hai served as a senator between 2004 and 2008 and was later made a district governor in Sar-e-Pol.
Correspondents say he is thought to be the highest-ranking civilian official to have joined the Taliban.
The move comes as foreign combat forces prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014 and ahead of elections next year.
Mr Hai is believed to have defected to the Taliban along with two of his bodyguards on Tuesday.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24159810