By Riaz Hussain
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the United States has officially withdrawn a $10 million bounty on Afghanistan’s acting Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, along with two other senior members of the Haqqani Network. This development, confirmed by Taliban spokesperson Mufti Abdul Mateen Qani while speaking to CBN 24/7, comes after several rounds of bilateral talks between U.S. and the Taliban officials.
According to sources, the U.S. government has also rescinded a $5 million reward on Abdul Aziz Haqqani, the brother of Sirajuddin Haqqani, and Yahya Haqqani, a key figure within the Haqqani Network. The decision marks a significant step in U.S.-Afghanistan relations, signaling a potential thaw in diplomatic ties between Washington and Kabul.
The breakthrough follows a high-level diplomatic visit to Kabul by Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, alongside former U.S. envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad. Their visit aimed to establish direct contact with the Taliban leadership, marking the first such engagement since the group’s return to power on August 15, 2021.
As part of these negotiations, the Taliban recently released American citizen George Glezmann, who had been imprisoned for two and a half years. This development underscores the shifting dynamics in U.S.-Taliban relations, with both sides exploring avenues for engagement despite years of strained ties.
Appreciating