The United States has blocked a planned visit by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan in response to the group's continued denial of holding Afghan-born American citizen Mahmood Habibi, according to a US source speaking to Afghanistan International.
The source stated that US pressure on the Taliban over the issue is “just beginning,” as Washington seeks accountability for Habibi’s detention.
Muttaqi was scheduled to lead a Taliban delegation on a three-day official visit to Pakistan beginning Monday, 5 August. However, sources in Kabul said the trip was postponed due to “technical issues.”
Afghanistan International has since learned that the UN Security Council’s 1988 Sanctions Committee has not yet granted Muttaqi a travel exemption, required for sanctioned Taliban officials to travel internationally. These exemptions are typically requested by the host nation, but it appears Pakistan either did not submit a formal request or failed to secure approval.
On Tuesday, 6 August, a US official confirmed that the Trump administration intervened to prevent Muttaqi’s travel after receiving credible witness testimony confirming that the Taliban is detaining Habibi at its intelligence headquarters in Kabul.
“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 said. “If the Taliban want any progress in relations, they must admit to detaining Habibi.”
The source added: “Denying something the United States is certain of is a game the Taliban will lose.”
Habibi, the former head of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, was arrested by Taliban intelligence in Kabul in August 2022 along with several of his former colleagues. All but two of the detainees have reportedly been released, though the Taliban has provided no official information about Habibi’s whereabouts or condition.
Earlier this year, the US State Department announced a $5 million reward for credible information leading to Habibi’s return.
The Taliban has consistently denied holding Habibi and has made no public statements in response to Washington’s statements.
