KABUL (SW): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has dropped sanctions against chief of the Hezb-e-Islami party Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
This development is in line with the peace deal signed between the Afghan government and Hekmatyar-led Hezb-e-Islami party. In mid-December, the government sent a formal request to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to lift sanctions against the members of the Hezb-e-Islami party.
The peace deal which has paved the way for Hekmatyar’s return was inked on 29th September last year. Hekmatyar, who has been in self-exile for years now, spoke on the occasion via a video-link from an undisclosed location. Underlining the value of peace in the war-ravaged country, the 69-year-old former Mujahedeen leader stressed foreign powers have played no role in this landmark deal. He also urged upon the Taliban to give-up arms and join the peace process.
Hekmatyar was black listed on 20 February 2003 as being associated with Al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden or the Taliban for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of” the Taliban and Al-Qaida
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