UNITED NATIONS, Feb 4 (APP): The United Nations has removed

 Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the Hizb i Islami leader and a veteran of the

 decades of Afghan war, from its list of designated terrorists following his recent peace agreement with the Kabul government.

 “Therefore, the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo …

 no longer apply to him,” the UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee said in a statement issued in New York Friday.

 The move comes months after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s

 government sealed a peace deal with Hekmatyar’s Hizb e Islami, or HIG, an insurgent faction.

 The 25 point peace agreement gives Hekmatyar and his followers

 immunity for past actions and grants them full political rights.

 The truce required Hekmatyar to cease fighting against the

 Afghan government in return for his removal from the UN blacklist,

 along with other leaders of his faction, and allowing his group to resume political activities in Afghanistan.

 Friday’s announcement also said Hekmatyar, 67, was listed on

 February 20, 2003 and was “believed to be in the Afghanistan/Pakistan

 border area as at January 2011.”

 A former Prime Minister, Hekmatyar was a prominent among the

 Afghan Mujahideen in the fighting against Soviet troops in the 1980s.

 Following the 2001 US led invasion of Afghanistan and fall of

 the Taliban, the US State Department designated him a terrorist, accusing him of taking part in and supporting attacks by al Qaeda and the Taliban. </s> KABUL: The United Nations Security Council on Friday dropped sanctions against Afghan strongman Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, potentially paving the way for his return openly to Afghanistan.

The Afghan government requested the move as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his group, Hezb-i-Islami, in September.

The deal was criticised by some Afghans and human rights groups for the pardon it granted to Hekmatyar and many of his fighters.

While playing only a small role in the current insurgent conflict in Afghanistan, Hekmatyar was a major figure during the bloody civil war of the 1990s, when he was accused of indiscriminately firing rockets into Kabul, as well as other human rights abuses.

Spokespeople for Hekmatyar and the Afghan government were not immediately available to comment.

In removing Hekmatyar from the list of people sanctioned for their ties to al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and other militant groups, the U.N. unfroze his assets, and dropped a travel ban and arms embargo against him.

Hekmatyar´s whereabouts have been unknown since he signed the peace deal with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in September via a prerecorded video from an undisclosed location. With the U.N. sanctions now removed, government officials expect Hekmatyar to eventually return to the Afghan capital, despite the continued controversy.

Many foreign governments, including the United States, praised the accord at the time as a step toward wider peace in Afghanistan.

U.N. Security Council lifts sanctions on Gulbuddin Hekmatyar was posted in World of TheNews International - https://www.thenews.com.pk on February 04, 2017 and was last updated on February 04, 2017. This news story is related to Latest/183988-UN-Security-Council-lifts-sanctions-Gulbuddin-Hekmatyar/ - breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne. Permanent link to the news story "U.N. Security Council lifts sanctions on Gulbuddin Hekmatyar" is https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/183988-UN-Security-Council-lifts-sanctions-Gulbuddin-Hekmatyar. </s> The United Nations Security Council dropped sanctions against Afghan strongman Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, potentially paving the way for the warlord to return openly to Afghanistan.

 

 The Afghan government requested the move as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his militant group, Hezb-i-Islami, in September.

 

 The deal was criticized by some Afghans and human rights groups for the pardon it granted to Hekmatyar and many of his fighters.

 

 While playing only a small role in the current insurgent conflict in Afghanistan, Hekmatyar was a major figure during the bloody civil war of the 1990s, when he was accused of indiscriminately firing rockets into Kabul, as well as other human rights abuses.

 

 In removing Hekmatyar from the list of people sanctioned for their ties with the Al Qaeda, the Islamic State and other militant groups, the UN unfroze his assets, and dropped a travel ban and arms embargo against him.

 

 Hekmatyar's whereabouts have been unknown since he signed the peace deal with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in September via a pre-recorded video from an undisclosed location.

 

 With the UN sanctions now removed, government officials expect Hekmatyar to eventually return to the Afghan capital, despite the continued controversy.

 

 Many foreign governments, including the US, praised the accord at the time as a step toward wider peace in Afghanistan. </s> Alwaght- The United Nations has dropped a series of sanctions against one of the most nutritious warlords in Afghanistan on Friday.

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, is now allowed to freely return to Afghanistan as the move could potentially pave the way for his appearance in Afghan political scene.

Hekmatyar was sanctioned for his connections to the al-Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorist groups and now by the removal of those sanctions, the UN unfroze his assets, and dropped a travel ban and arms embargo against him.

The Afghan government requested the move as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his militant group, Hezb-i-Islami, in September.

Based on the deal, the warlord and his militants were granted a comprehensive state pardon that hugely criticized by some Afghans and human rights groups.

While playing only a small role in the current insurgent conflict in Afghanistan, Hekmatyar was a major figure during the bloody civil war of the 1990s, when he was accused of indiscriminately firing rockets into Kabul, as well as other human rights abuses.

Hekmatyar's whereabouts have been unknown since he signed the peace deal with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in September via a prerecorded video from an undisclosed location.

With the UN sanctions now removed, government officials expect Hekmatyar to eventually return to the Afghan capital, despite the continued controversy. </s> KABUL: The United Nations Security Council on Friday dropped sanctions against Afghan strongman Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, potentially paving the way for the notorious warlord to return openly to Afghanistan.

The Afghan government requested the move as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his militant group, Hezb-i-Islami, in September.

The deal was criticised by some Afghans and human rights groups for the pardon it granted to Hekmatyar and many of his fighters.

While playing only a small role in the current insurgent conflict in Afghanistan, Hekmatyar was a major figure during the bloody civil war of the 1990s, when he was accused of indiscriminately firing rockets into Kabul, as well as other human rights abuses.

Spokespeople for Hekmatyar and the Afghan government were not immediately available to comment.

In removing Hekmatyar from the list of people sanctioned for their ties to al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and other militant groups, the U.N. unfroze his assets, and dropped a travel ban and arms embargo against him.

Hekmatyar's whereabouts have been unknown since he signed the peace deal with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in September via a prerecorded video from an undisclosed location.

With the U.N. sanctions now removed, government officials expect Hekmatyar to eventually return to the Afghan capital, despite the continued controversy.

Many foreign governments, including the United States, praised the accord at the time as a step toward wider peace in Afghanistan. </s> The United Nations Security Council has dropped sanctions against Afghan strongman Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, potentially paving the way for the notorious warlord to return openly to Afghanistan.

The Afghan government requested the move as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his militant group, Hezb-i-Islami, in September.

The deal was criticised by some Afghans and human rights groups for the pardon it granted to Hekmatyar and many of his fighters.

While playing only a small role in the current insurgent conflict in Afghanistan, Hekmatyar was a major figure during the bloody civil war of the 1990s, when he was accused of indiscriminately firing rockets into Kabul, as well as other human rights abuses.

The Afghan government welcomed the UN's decision made on Friday as a "a major step toward peace and stability in Afghanistan," said Mohammad Akram Khpalwak, a political advisor for President Ashraf Ghani.

"This was a demand of the people and government of Afghanistan," he told Reuters on Saturday. "It is a major step for the peace process between Hezb-i-Islami and the government of Afghanistan."

In removing Hekmatyar from the list of people sanctioned for their ties to al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and other militant groups, the UN unfroze his assets, and dropped a travel ban and arms embargo against him.

Hekmatyar's whereabouts have been unknown since he signed the peace deal with Ghani in September via a prerecorded video from an undisclosed location.

With the UN sanctions now removed, government officials expect Hekmatyar to eventually return to the Afghan capital, despite the continued controversy.

Many foreign governments, including the United States, praised the accord at the time as a step toward wider peace in Afghanistan. </s> KABUL: The United Nations Security Council has dropped sanctions against Afghan strongman Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, potentially paving the way for the notorious warlord to return openly to Afghanistan.

The Afghan government requested the move as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his militant group, Hezb-i-Islami, in September. The deal was criticised by some Afghans and human rights groups for the pardon it granted to Hekmatyar and many of his fighters.

While playing only a small role in the current insurgent conflict in Afghanistan, Hekmatyar was a major figure during the bloody civil war of the 1990s, when he was accused of indiscriminately firing rockets into Kabul, as well as other human rights abuses. The Afghan government welcomed the UN’s decision made on Friday as "a major step toward peace and stability in Afghanistan," said Mohammad Akram Khpalwak, a political adviser for President Ashraf Ghani. "This was a demand of the people and government of Afghanistan," he told Reuters on Saturday. "It is a major step for the peace process between Hezb-i-Islami and the government of Afghanistan." In removing Hekmatyar from the list of people sanctioned for their ties to al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and other militant groups, the UN unfroze his assets, and dropped a travel ban and arms embargo against him.

Hekmatyar’s whereabouts have been unknown since he signed the peace deal with Ghani in September via a prerecorded video from an undisclosed location. With the UN sanctions now removed, government officials expect Hekmatyar to eventually return to the Afghan capital, despite the continued controversy. Many foreign governments, including the United States, praised the accord at the time as a step toward wider peace in Afghanistan.

UN lifts sanctions on Hekmatyar was posted in Top Story of TheNews International - https://www.thenews.com.pk on February 05, 2017 and was last updated on February 05, 2017. This news story is related to Print/184195-UN-lifts-sanctions-on-Hekmatyar/ - breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne. Permanent link to the news story "UN lifts sanctions on Hekmatyar" is https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/184195-UN-lifts-sanctions-on-Hekmatyar. </s> KABUL, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council on Friday dropped sanctions against Afghan strongman Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, potentially paving the way for the notorious warlord to return openly to Afghanistan.

The Afghan government requested the move as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his militant group, Hezb-i-Islami, in September.

The deal was criticised by some Afghans and human rights groups for the pardon it granted to Hekmatyar and many of his fighters.

While playing only a small role in the current insurgent conflict in Afghanistan, Hekmatyar was a major figure during the bloody civil war of the 1990s, when he was accused of indiscriminately firing rockets into Kabul, as well as other human rights abuses.

Spokespeople for Hekmatyar and the Afghan government were not immediately available to comment.

In removing Hekmatyar from the list of people sanctioned for their ties to al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and other militant groups, the U.N. unfroze his assets, and dropped a travel ban and arms embargo against him.

Hekmatyar's whereabouts have been unknown since he signed the peace deal with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in September via a prerecorded video from an undisclosed location.

With the U.N. sanctions now removed, government officials expect Hekmatyar to eventually return to the Afghan capital, despite the continued controversy.

Many foreign governments, including the United States, praised the accord at the time as a step toward wider peace in Afghanistan. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Sam Holmes) </s> KABUL, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council has dropped sanctions against Afghan strongman Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, potentially paving the way for the notorious warlord to return openly to Afghanistan.

The Afghan government requested the move as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his militant group, Hezb-i-Islami, in September.

The deal was criticised by some Afghans and human rights groups for the pardon it granted to Hekmatyar and many of his fighters.

While playing only a small role in the current insurgent conflict in Afghanistan, Hekmatyar was a major figure during the bloody civil war of the 1990s, when he was accused of indiscriminately firing rockets into Kabul, as well as other human rights abuses.

The Afghan government welcomed the U.N.'s decision made on Friday as a "a major step toward peace and stability in Afghanistan," said Mohammad Akram Khpalwak, a political advisor for President Ashraf Ghani.

"This was a demand of the people and government of Afghanistan," he told Reuters on Saturday. "It is a major step for the peace process between Hezb-i-Islami and the government of Afghanistan."

In removing Hekmatyar from the list of people sanctioned for their ties to al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and other militant groups, the U.N. unfroze his assets, and dropped a travel ban and arms embargo against him.

Hekmatyar's whereabouts have been unknown since he signed the peace deal with Ghani in September via a prerecorded video from an undisclosed location.

With the U.N. sanctions now removed, government officials expect Hekmatyar to eventually return to the Afghan capital, despite the continued controversy.

Many foreign governments, including the United States, praised the accord at the time as a step toward wider peace in Afghanistan. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Sam Holmes)
The United Nations drop sanctions on Gulbuddin Hekmatyar after his Hezb-e Islami faction and the Afghan government reached a deal in September. Hekmatyar is granted immunity in exchange for his abandoning violence and supporting the Constitution of Afghanistan.