ISTANBUL

The UN Security Council has lifted travel restrictions on four Taliban leaders, who are serving the interim administration in Afghanistan. 

According to a brief notification by the Security Council, the lifting of travel restrictions was approved in the case of Abdul Kabir Mohammad Jan, Abdul-Haq Wassiq, Noor Mohammad Saqib, and Sirajuddin Jallaloudine Haqqani.

Since their return to power in August 2021, Abdul Kabir was appointed as deputy prime minister for political affairs, while Haqqani is the interior minister in the interim administration.

Wasiq is Afghanistan’s intelligence chief, while Saqib is minister of Hajj and religious affairs.

The restrictions were removed for their visit to Mecca, Saudi Arabia where they will perform the annual Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj, the notification added.

It said the decision was taken on Wednesday pursuant to Resolution 1988 (2011).

The notification lifting travel restrictions came to the fore as Haqqani and Wasiq traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where they met the Gulf nation’s leadership.

Haqqani and his delegation met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi where they discussed the release of Afghan prisoners in the UAE and also sought the facilitation of visas for Afghans to the UAE.