Background:
Although usually categorized and self-identified as Panjpai Durranis, many Zirak Durranis dismiss the Noorzai as Ghalji or Ghilzai, not Durrani at all.  At this point in time, it is not clear whether this is a long-standing belief or has arisen out the turmoil of the past three decades, particularly the close partnership between the Noorzai and the Taliban leadership.  Given the numbers and importance of the Noorzai in the south, this attitude may have consequences for long-term tribal politics. Some influential Noorzai tribesmen hold key positions in the Kandahar Provincial government, including Aref Noorzai and his brother Brigadier Mirwais Noorzai who formerly served as Kandahar’s Provincial Chief of Police. Esham Noorzai, who is the deputy leader of the provincial council, is also a Noorzai and is the cousin of Aref and Mirwais.

Other influential Noorzai include the former commander Ustad Abdul Halim and Hajji Bashir Noorzai, a former Hezb-i-Islami (Khalis) commander and supporter of the Taliban. He was incarcerated in the United States in 2008 on drug trafficking charges.

• Arif Khan Noorzai- Powerful tribal leader and member of the provincial council.
• Hajji Bashir Noorzai- Cousin of Aref Noorzai and former legacy drug trafficker. (incarcerated)
• Haji Neamatullah Khan- He is a member of both the provincial and Kandahar tribal council.
• Hafiz Majeed- Senior Taliban field commander for southern Afghanistan. Active.
• Mullah Mohammed Ghaus – Former high ranking Taliban official. Status unknown.
• Mullah Abdul Samad Khaksar Akhund- Former Taliban intelligence chief from Kandahar City. Defected to the Northern Alliance and the US Coalition. Assassinated.
• Mullah Mohammad Issa- Former Taliban minister for mines and industry. Hails from Kandahar’s Spin Boldak district.
• Ustad Abdul Alim- Former commander from Panjwai district and now current powerbroker in Kandahar City. Notorious reputation. Linked to organized crime and possible narcotics connection.
• Haji Isa Jan- He is a tribal leader and khan. He was the first Chief of Police of Panjwayi after the collapse of the Taliban regime.
• Haji Qader- He is the uncle of Aref Noorzai and heads the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.