RASC News Agency: Afghanistani sources report that Dubai police barred the Taliban’s Prime Minister, Mullah Hassan Akhund, from attending a private gathering in the city. Last month, Akhund had traveled to Abu Dhabi for medical treatment, but without following proper diplomatic protocols or coordinating with the Dubai authorities, he attempted to visit Dubai on the invitation of an Afghanistani businessman. Taliban Foreign Ministry sources revealed that Mullah Hassan Akhund, acting without official clearance, traveled from Abu Dhabi to Dubai at the invitation of Rahmatullah Qandahari, an Afghanistani businessman. However, upon arrival, Dubai police intervened, preventing him from attending the event.
According to insiders, Dubai police denied Mullah Hassan entry to the city and blocked him from attending the banquet at Qandahari’s villa. To avoid a diplomatic embarrassment, Taliban officials swiftly redirected Mullah Hassan to visit the Afghanistani consulate in Dubai, which is now under the control of the Taliban. Sources confirm that Dubai police ordered Mullah Hassan to return immediately to his hospital in Abu Dhabi, as he lacked authorization to enter Dubai. Given Dubai’s status as a global tourist destination, it appears the city’s authorities were concerned that the presence of Taliban leaders could damage its international image.
Mullah Hassan Akhund returned to Abu Dhabi in August without attending the gathering, later departing for Kabul. Analysts suggest that this incident highlights the Taliban leadership’s ignorance of diplomatic protocols. Additionally, it reveals growing internal disunity, as tensions appear to exist between Mullah Badruddin, the Taliban’s ambassador to Abu Dhabi, and Fada Mohammad Madani, the group’s consul general in Dubai. The former is closely aligned with the Taliban’s foreign ministry, while the latter is a close ally of the interior minister.
With over 300,000 Afghanistani nationals residing in the UAE, the country has engaged with the Taliban for consular matters but has thus far restricted all political activities by Afghanistani factions, including the Taliban.
