The Kabul Tribune (KT) — A Taliban spokesperson has criticized the renewal of United Nations Security Council sanctions on Taliban officials, calling the measures ineffective and harmful to the Afghan people.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, told state-run National Television on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, that the sanctions have been useless from the outset and have failed to produce any meaningful results.
He said the imposition of sanctions not only lacks impact but also affects the rights of ordinary Afghans. According to Mujahid, when the head of an institution is under sanctions, the entire institution and the public associated with it are negatively affected.
Mujahid described the move as “unjust” and stressed that the Taliban seek to create conditions for mutual understanding. He urged international organizations to work toward fostering closer relations between Afghanistan and the world rather than using sanctions as a tool of political pressure.
His remarks come as the UN Security Council recently updated its sanctions list involving several Taliban officials who were already subject to restrictions.
According to the changes, the individuals’ identifying information, previous roles and places of residence have been updated. Those listed remain subject to travel bans, arms embargoes and asset freezes.
The list includes Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hedayatullah Badri.
