Fresh claims by Pakistani journalist Tauseef Ahmad have reignited debate over the final years and death of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, one of the most elusive figures in modern Afghan history.

According to Ahmad, Mullah Omar was suffering from mental health issues as well as other serious medical conditions before his death in 2013. The journalist claims that the Taliban leader was receiving medical treatment in Pakistan and ultimately died while under care in Karachi.

Adding to the controversy, Ahmad recently shared what he described as the last known photograph of Mullah Omar. He claims the image was taken by a Pakistani doctor inside a hospital in Karachi and provides a rare glimpse of the Taliban founder during his final days. Ahmad further stated that the photo originated from individuals who were closely connected to Omar.

The claims challenge the account presented by Dutch journalist and researcher Bette Dam in her book Looking for the Enemy. In the book, Dam argued that Mullah Omar spent his final years in Afghanistan’s Zabul province, living in secrecy near the presence of international forces.

Pakistani journalist Taswif Ahmad claims that Mullah Omar was suffering from mental illness & other health issues, and was receiving medical attention in Pakistan in 2013 when he passed away. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/wXClIwAE4S

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However, Pakistani journalists and some regional observers have disputed that version of events, arguing that evidence points instead to Omar having spent his final period in Pakistan. The differing narratives have fueled ongoing debate about where the Taliban founder actually lived and died.

 Mullah Omar disappeared from public view after the 2001 US-led intervention in Afghanistan. For years, rumors circulated regarding his health, location, and status. In 2015, Afghan authorities announced that he had died several years earlier, a revelation that surprised many followers and analysts.

More than a decade after his reported death, conflicting accounts continue to emerge. While Ahmad’s claims and the alleged photograph have generated renewed interest, many aspects of Mullah Omar’s final years remain unverified, ensuring that the mystery surrounding his fate continues to attract attention.