Pakistani media have reported the arrest of Sultan Aziz Azzam, the media chief of ISIS-K, in May 2025 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along the Line with Afghanistan.
However, sources told Al-Mirsaad that Sultan Aziz Azzam became a victim of a plot by Shahab al-Muhajir, the current leader of ISIS-K, and of internal disputes within the group. According to these sources, tensions escalated after al-Muhajir removed several former senior ISIS-K figures from their positions and consolidated authority among a small circle of close associates, many with longstanding ties to him dating back to his university years. This concentration of power angered prominent ISIS members from eastern regions, triggering internal rifts. As divisions deepened, several disgruntled members sought refuge with Pakistan’s ISI.
Sources further stated that Shahab al-Muhajir distanced Azzam from himself under the pretext of assigning him a mediating role between himself and the dissatisfied ISIS commanders from eastern regions, ostensibly to persuade and reconcile them.
Sources added that he was engaged in negotiations with dissatisfied ISIS members at a Pakistani intelligence guesthouse and was also involved in new plans and arrangements with the ISI. However, when disagreements over sensitive issues intensified, Pakistani intelligence announced his arrest.
Azzam played a central role in establishing and expanding the ISIS propaganda wing, the Al-Azaim Foundation. He moved to Pakistan after key ISIS leadership figures were killed in operations carried out by the security forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. He was also regarded as being close to ISIS’s central leadership, a status that heightened al-Muhajir’s suspicions.
He joined ISIS-K nearly ten years ago. Before that, he had worked with the Election Commission and at radio stations during the former Kabul administration.
