The Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, who traveled to Doha on July 15 at the head of an official delegation to deliver the Taliban leadership’s condolences and attend the funeral ceremony following the death of Qatar’s former emir, has still not returned to Kabul after eight days.
Sources in Doha say that Qatari officials initially arranged a three-day stay for the Taliban delegation, but the hotel accommodation period was later extended at Muttaqi’s request.
According to the sources, Muttaqi has attempted to hold an official meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
A source in Kabul said that Muttaqi also wants to renew his previous residency permit (iqama) in Qatar. The same source claimed that he is suffering from an eye condition and intends to undergo medical examinations and receive treatment during his stay in Doha.
So far, neither Qatari officials nor the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have issued any official statements regarding the extension of Muttaqi’s stay, the renewal of his residency permit, his reported efforts to meet with Qatari officials, or claims about medical examinations.
Qatar has been considered one of the Taliban’s key diplomatic partners since 2021 and, in recent years, has hosted meetings involving the Taliban, the United Nations, and representatives from various countries.
Meanwhile, a source in Kabul said that Muttaqi’s prolonged stay in Doha has become a subject of jokes among some employees of the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry. Some have jokingly suggested that he may even attend the 40-day mourning ceremony for Qatar’s former emir before returning to Kabul.
Additionally, the United Nations’ travel ban exemption page has so far not published any updated information regarding the extension of Amir Khan Muttaqi’s travel ban exemption.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
