Amir Khan Muttaqi Granted Travel Exemption by UN for India Visit; Afghanistan Faces Internet Blackout

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, has been granted a travel ban exemption by the United Nations Security Council, allowing him to visit India from October 9 to October 16. The exemption is a deviation from the usual travel restrictions imposed on Taliban-linked individuals as per Security Council resolution 1988 (2011), which permits exceptions for official or medical purposes. Simultaneously, Afghanistan is facing a deteriorating humanitarian and social crisis, with the Taliban government implementing stringent measures. The government temporarily shut down telecom services across the country, leading to a complete internet blackout. This unprecedented blackout has affected 43 million people, compounding the existing challenges faced by the nation, including the impact of a recent earthquake and restrictions imposed on women.