Ali Maisam Nazary, head of foreign relations of the National Resistance Front (NRF), said that with the US elections round the corner, some Western media outlets have resorted to "whitewashing" the Taliban.

Following the publication of The New York Times report on Sirajuddin Haqqani, Nazary accused some Western media of "normalising" the Taliban.

Nazary wrote in a note on Friday, October 25, in response to The New York Times article about Sirajuddin Haqqani, that Afghanistan has now become a centre for international terrorism. He clarified that gender and ethnic apartheid is rampant in the country "under the rule of an oppressive group”.

"It is shameful to see attempts to downplay the Taliban's crimes or encourage more engagement with them," said the head of the National Resistance Front's foreign relations. “These efforts are doomed to failure,” he added.

Nazary said that the next administration of the United States of America should follow a new path. He called on the US authorities to stop the false propaganda and base their policy on the "brutal reality of the Taliban's rule".

The New York Times wrote on Thursday, October 24, that Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban's interior minister, is the only dissident voice within the group. The newspaper added that Haqqani, who is dissatisfied with Hibatullah Akhundzada's orders, has diplomatic relations with some European countries, the Persian Gulf, Russia and China.

The New York Times interview with Sirajuddin Haqqani has provoked many reactions. In this interview, the media outlet has showcased how Sirajuddin Haqqani went from being a commander to an important member of the Taliban group.

Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation, said on Thursday that the US approach to the Taliban's "moderate leaders" such as Siraj Haqqani, Abdul Ghani Baradar and Yaqoob Mujahid should be based on foresight. He advised Washington not to be "influenced by the past and the desire for revenge" in dealing with these Taliban officials.