KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s deputy chief minister for administrative affairs, Abdul Salam Hanafi, traveled to Uzbekistan on Saturday at the invitation of the Uzbek government, the Taliban spokesman announced.
Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban’s spokesman, said on X that the trip was made at the request of Uzbek officials.
According to Taliban sources, Hanafi’s agenda includes discussions on political, economic, and social cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Upon his arrival, Hanafi was received by Uzbekistan’s deputy prime minister, underscoring the country’s willingness to engage diplomatically with the Taliban despite its controversial human rights record.
The visit comes despite Hanafi’s inclusion on the United Nations blacklist, which imposes travel bans and asset freezes on individuals associated with the Taliban.
The trip has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and advocates for women’s rights, who have repeatedly called on the international community to enforce restrictions on travel for Taliban leaders. These critics argue that allowing such visits undermines international efforts to hold the Taliban accountable for its treatment of women.
