POLITICS — April 14, 2026
Islamic Emirate Calls UN Sanctions List Update 'Unreasonable and Ineffective'
The UN Security Council Sanctions Committee updated details on four senior Islamic Emirate officials, prompting spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid to call it 'unreasonable,' 'ineffective' and harmful to Afghans. The changes include biometrics, passports or aliases under Resolution 1988.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Amu TV — corroborated by Ariana News — 2 min read
The UN Security Council Sanctions Committee has updated identity details for four senior officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Deputy for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Mines and Petroleum Minister Hidayatullah Badri.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, denounced the update as "unreasonable," "ineffective," a "clear injustice" and futile political pressure that harms ordinary Afghans and violates their rights. He urged international bodies to seek understanding rather than impose sanctions.
The update, which occurred on April 13, 2026, under Resolution 1988 according to Nasir Ahmad Faiz, acting representative of Afghanistan to the UN, includes biometric information and passport specifications issued in Kabul, as reported by Amu TV. Ariana News detailed added aliases such as "Mullah Haji" for Akhund and "Gul Agha Esakhail" for Badri.
Resolution 1988 imposes travel bans without permission and asset freezes. The sanctions list was last updated last month with information on 22 other individuals. Ariana News noted that Islamic Emirate leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is not on the list, while more than 30 others remain listed.
Mujahid argued the measures reflect poor international policy without justification and do not advance any goals.
Read the original reporting at Amu TV →
Reliability assessment
2 independent outlets corroborate the core event of UNSC sanctions list update for four named Taliban officials and Zabihullah Mujahid's direct, on-record critical response with quotes; minor detail variations do not affect corroboration
The source language reads straight.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
Taliban has described the recent update of United Nations Security Council sanctions against its senior officials as “irrational and ineffective,” calling for the restrictions to be lifted. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the sanctions have failed to produce positive change in Afghanistan and instead, in his view, have “undermined the rights of the Afghan people.”
- India sends 13 tonnes of BCG vaccines to Afghanistan for child immunisation | Asianet Newsablenewsable.asianetnews.com
the Afghanistan government has sharply criticized the United Nations' sanctions regime following the latest update to listings targeting senior leaders, calling the measures "unreasonable and ineffective." Speaking in response to the move, spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the continued use of sanctions reflects a failure of policy and analysis.
- India sends 13 tonnes of BCG vaccines to Afghanistan to boost child immunisation - The Tribunetribuneindia.com
the Afghanistan government has sharply criticized the United Nations' sanctions regime following the latest update to listings targeting senior leaders, calling the measures "unreasonable and ineffective." Speaking in response to the move, spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the continued use of sanctions reflects a failure of policy and analysis.
The comments came after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) announced updates to its sanctions list as part of ongoing enforcement efforts. The council's 1988 Sanctions Committee confirmed revisions to identifying details for four senior Taliban officials: Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Abdul Ghani Baradar, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Hedayatullah Badri.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Zabihullah Mujahid criticized the UNSC sanctions list update as ineffective, unreasonable, and harmful to Afghan people
- UNSC Sanctions Committee updated information on four specific senior Taliban officials: Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Abdul Ghani Baradar, Amir Khan Muttaqi, Hidayatullah Badri
- Sanctions list updated last month with 22 other individuals
Where reports differ
- Specific details of the update: Amu TV reports biometrics and Kabul-issued passports; Ariana News reports aliases
- Nasir Ahmad Faiz statement on update date and resolution only in Amu TV
- Hibatullah Akhundzada not on list mentioned only in Ariana News
Filed by 2 outlets
Amu TV
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Ariana News
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
Politics — Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, UN Security Council, Sanctions, Mohammad Hassan Akhund
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