The Afghan government has asked the United Nations to include the Taliban's fugitive chief Mullah Hibatullah in its blacklist of individuals under travel and financial bans and arms embargo.<br/><br/> The move, critics say, demonstrates hardening of President Ashraf Ghani's stance about engaging the Taliban in peace talks, and it will likely fuel the insurgency.<br/><br/> The Taliban has long demanded, among other things, removal of names of its senior leaders from the UN sanctions list before it decides to engage in peace talks with Kabul. <br/><br/>The UN team of experts is visiting the country to review and help in the efforts aimed at promoting Afghan peace and stability.

The Afghan government has asked the United Nations to include the Taliban's fugitive chief Mullah Hibatullah in its blacklist of individuals under travel and financial bans and arms embargo.<br/><br/> The move, critics say, demonstrates hardening of President Ashraf Ghani's stance about engaging the Taliban in peace talks, and it will likely fuel the insurgency.<br/><br/> The Taliban has long demanded, among other things, removal of names of its senior leaders from the UN sanctions list before it decides to engage in peace talks with Kabul. <br/><br/>The UN team of experts is visiting the country to review and help in the efforts aimed at promoting Afghan peace and stability.

The Afghan government has asked the United Nations to include the Taliban's fugitive chief Mullah Hibatullah in its blacklist of individuals under travel and financial bans and arms embargo.<br/><br/> The move, critics say, demonstrates hardening of President Ashraf Ghani's stance about engaging the Taliban in peace talks, and it will likely fuel the insurgency.<br/><br/> The Taliban has long demanded, among other things, removal of names of its senior leaders from the UN sanctions list before it decides to engage in peace talks with Kabul. <br/><br/>The UN team of experts is visiting the country to review and help in the efforts aimed at promoting Afghan peace and stability.