Haji Nooruddin Azizi, a businessman and a former affiliate of the Hizb-e-Islami party, stands out as one of the few high-ranking non-Taliban individuals within the Taliban's government. Serving as the Minister of Industry and Commerce since September 2021, Nooruddin Azizi plays an important role in advancing the Taliban government's economic agenda with the region. He is among a select group of Taliban cabinet officials who actively travel across the region to advocate for and bolster the Taliban government's economic agenda with the region. Before joining the Taliban government, his business ventures included engagements in trade and mining sectors across the region, including in Central Asia and the United Arab Emirates. He also reportedly established two schools—i.e., Zia-ul-Madaris for Islamic teachings and Hudaibi High School for modern education—for the returning Afghan refugees. Son of Haji Gulbuddin Azizi, Nooruddin Azizi received his early education in his hometown of Dasht-e-Rewat and later in Zabihullah Shaheed in Kabul. His unique position as a non-Taliban cabinet member supports the Taliban leaders' oft-repeated assertions of inclusivity and broader representation of individuals within their government.
