Islamabad – A scheduled diplomatic visit by Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan has been postponed after the United Nations Security Council’s 1988 Sanctions Committee denied a travel exemption request, reportedly under pressure from the United States. The decision has stirred debate over the use of sanctions as tools of pressure versus enablers of diplomacy.
Muttaqi, who was set to arrive in Islamabad on Monday, August 5, for a three-day official visit, was expected to lead a high-level delegation to discuss political, economic, and security issues with Pakistani counterparts. The invitation had been extended by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during his visit to Kabul earlier this year.
Pakistani officials initially attributed the delay to “technical reasons,” but diplomatic sources later confirmed to multiple outlets that the real cause was the UN’s refusal to grant Muttaqi a travel exemption, which is required under sanctions placed on senior Afghan Taliban officials.
A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, when approached for comment, stated: “There is no question of delay or cancellation,” adding that both sides were still working to finalize new dates for the visit.
However, a US source speaking to Afghanistan International contradicted the “technical” explanation, stating the exemption was blocked at Washington’s behest due to the Afghan Taliban’s continued detention of Afghan-born American citizen Mahmood Habibi.
“The Taliban is detaining Habibi at its intelligence headquarters in Kabul,” said the source while speaking to the Afghanistan International. “For the Taliban, the counterpart now is Trump, not Biden, and Trump does not play soft when it comes to bringing Americans home.”
The source added: “Denying something the United States is certain of is a game the Taliban will lose.”
Habibi Case Behind US Push
Habibi, a former head of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, was detained in Kabul in August 2022 alongside several former colleagues. While most of the detainees have been released, Habibi’s fate remains unknown. The Taliban has not acknowledged his detention, and no official comment has been made regarding his condition.
Earlier this year, the US State Department announced a $5 million reward for credible information leading to his return. The US official emphasized that pressure on the Taliban “is just beginning,” suggesting further diplomatic consequences could follow unless Habibi is released.
UN Travel Ban and Diplomatic Fallout
Foreign Minister Muttaqi has previously been granted exemptions to travel to countries including China, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. This is the first time he has been denied permission to travel abroad for official engagement.
Observers argue the denial marks a significant shift and raises concerns about the broader implications for regional peace-building efforts.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Engagement: Slow but Positive Movement
Despite the setback, efforts to improve strained bilateral relations continue. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has made two visits to Kabul since April as part of a broader diplomatic push. High-level engagements have yielded incremental progress, especially regarding Pakistan’s concerns over the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other anti-Pakistan elements operating from Afghan soil.
According to security officials, the Afghan Taliban administration has taken steps to discourage Afghan nationals from joining the TTP, and action has been taken against those facilitating such recruitment.
In a significant development, Islamabad and Kabul have also agreed to upgrade diplomatic ties to the ambassadorial level. Sources confirm that Beijing played a key role in mediating this process, pushing both sides toward deeper engagement.
If and when cleared, Muttaqi’s visit would be his first to Pakistan since May 2023, when he attended a trilateral dialogue with Pakistani and Chinese foreign ministers.
Muttaqi, according to diplomatic sources, remains keen to make the visit once the issue is resolved.
