Career

During the Taliban regime Abdul Baqi was a diplomat, Vice-Minister of Information and Culture, Governor of Khost Province and Paktika Province. According to a report prepared for the European Union:

During 2003, Abdul Baqi was involved in anti-government military activities in the

Shinwar, Achin, Naziyan and Dur Baba Districts of the Nangarhar Province. As of 2009 he was engaged in organizing militant activities throughout the eastern region, particularly in the Nangarhar Province and Jalalabad City.

Early lists of sanctioned individuals, published by the United Nations, listed two separate individuals named Abdul Baqi.

They listed Maulvi Abdul Baqi as a diplomat, and Mullah Abdul Baqi as Vice-Minister of Culture. The Guardian quoted from diplomatic cables leaked by whistleblower organization WikiLeaks that described Abdul Baqi as a potential shadow governor.