The United Nations Security Council has granted a travel exemption to Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Taliban, allowing him to travel to Doha, the capital of Qatar. On Saturday, August 2nd, the UN issued a statement confirming that Hanafi is scheduled to travel to Doha for medical treatment from August 14 to August 31.

This decision comes despite several Taliban leaders being listed under UN Security Council sanctions. Travel exemptions for Taliban officials have frequently sparked criticism from human rights activists.

Since the Taliban came to power, the UN Security Council has issued multiple travel exemptions for Taliban leaders, primarily for medical reasons or to participate in political negotiations. These exemptions have repeatedly drawn varied reactions from the international community and human rights advocates.