The United Nations Security Council has rejected a request by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for an exemption from a travel ban that would have allowed him to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, according to reliable sources in Kabul who spoke to NIMRUZ TV.
The sources said Muttaqi, whose name is on the UN Security Council sanctions list, had planned to travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, August 11. His request for a temporary exemption from the travel ban was not approved, according to the sources.
The Taliban administration is reportedly continuing efforts to secure UN authorization for the trip in the coming days.
The UN Security Council has previously granted temporary travel exemptions to senior Taliban officials. Muttaqi himself traveled to Saudi Arabia last year after receiving such an exemption.
As a Taliban official listed under the UN sanctions regime, Muttaqi requires an exemption from the travel ban to travel outside Afghanistan.
If confirmed, the rejection would underscore the continued practical impact of international restrictions on Taliban officials, particularly their ability to travel abroad.
The Taliban have not issued an official response to the report.
