UK updates Afghanistan sanctions entry for Taliban member

LONDON, Aug. 28, 2026 — The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office varied the UK sanctions entry for Abdul Salam Hanafi Ali Mardan Qul, who remains subject to an asset freeze and travel ban under the Afghanistan regime.

The UK listing describes Hanafi as a Taliban member who was responsible for Jawzjan province in northern Afghanistan until 2008 and was involved in drug trafficking. It also identifies him as a former deputy minister of education under the Taliban regime from 1996 to 2001.

His record includes multiple names, dates of birth and passport details, as well as Arabic-script names and an address in Kabul. It lists three passport numbers and identifies Afghanistan as his nationality and country of birth.

The available evidence does not clearly distinguish which identifying fields were added, deleted or otherwise amended. The list marks the entry as last updated on Aug. 28, replacing an earlier update date of April 29.

The designation originated with the United Nations and carries UN reference number TAi.027. Its continued status means the existing UK asset-freeze restrictions remain in place, while the varied identifying record may affect list maintenance and screening matches.