ISLAMABAD: Australia has imposed sanctions on four senior Afghan Taliban leaders, including Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Abdul Hakim Haqqani.
The Department of Foreign Affairs announced the measures, which target several ministers in the Taliban government.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra had introduced a “world-first” autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan. She said the framework would allow Australia to impose its own sanctions and travel bans to increase pressure on the Taliban.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the new framework also introduces an arms embargo and bans on providing related services and activities to Afghanistan.
The sanctions cite four grounds: suppression of girls and women, persecution of minorities, broader abuses against the population, and undermining of the rule of law and governance.
The measures apply to Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, Minister of Higher Education Sheikh Neda Mohammad Nadim, Minister of Justice Abdul Hakim Sharai, and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani.
The Australian Government has established a world-first autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan, as part of our ongoing efforts to hold the Taliban to account.
In effect from today, we have also announced the first listings under the new framework.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) December 5, 2025
Wong said the officials were sanctioned for their role in the oppression of women and girls and for undermining governance and the rule of law. She said this includes restricting access to education, employment, freedom of movement and participation in public life.
