UN Security Council Grants Travel Exemptions to Three Islamic Emirate Officials

The United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee has approved travel ban exemptions for three Islamic Emirate officials under Resolution 1988.

Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior, received an exemption for a visit to Saudi Arabia from January 23 to February 3, 2025, to perform Umrah. The committee's statement specified: "On 22 January 2025, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) approved a travel ban exemption for Sirajuddin Jallaloudine Haqqani (TAi.144) regarding his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 23 January 2025 to 3 February 2025. The purpose of the visit is to perform Umrah."

An 11-day exemption was granted to Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, and a three-day exemption to Noor Mohammad Saqib, the acting Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs.

This follows a January 21 trip by Haqqani and Abdul Haq Wasiq, the General Director of Intelligence, to the United Arab Emirates. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, stated that during the visit, they discussed regional stability and Afghanistan's economic capabilities with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Political analyst Zalmai Afghan Yar said: "Solutions to all conflicts can be found through dialogue. The fact that members of the caretaker government travel to other countries is a positive step. If the United Nations truly wants to fulfill its duty toward Afghanistan, it should allow the country to come out of isolation."

Bilal Fatemi, another analyst, added: "When individuals are allowed to travel and engage in discussions, it is a step toward changing political relations between countries. These sanctions are artificial, and in my view, they have had no real impact and are ineffective."

The committee had previously granted exemptions on June 7 to Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, then Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs and now acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, along with the acting Ministers of Interior and Hajj and Religious Affairs, and the General Director of Intelligence.