Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Interior Minister under the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan, continues to draw international attention as signs of evolving U.S. policy emerge. Sources close to the Haqqani network have told Afghan outlet Tolo News that the reward designations on key figures of the group have been lifted by the U.S. government. According to these sources, Sirajuddin Haqqani, along with Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani, are no longer included on the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice list.

This development follows a period of growing engagement between the United States and the de facto Afghan authorities. Earlier this month, a U.S. delegation visited Kabul for the first time since 2021, reportedly focusing on the release of American detainees. One of those detainees, George Glezmann, was subsequently freed after over two years in custody and returned to the United States.

Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, told Afghan media that while the return of detained Americans was the top priority of the visit, broader and longer-term issues were also discussed with Taliban officials. She did not elaborate on those discussions, citing political sensitivity.

While Sirajuddin Haqqani’s profile has indeed been removed from the State Department’s Rewards for Justice website, his name remains listed on the FBI’s Most Wanted database with no visible changes to his profile or the reward amount. This contrast has raised questions about the exact nature of the changes, and whether they reflect a shift in designation or are part of a phased diplomatic strategy.

Symbolically, anti-U.S. slogans once painted on the walls of the former U.S. Embassy in Kabul have reportedly been removed. This act, though subtle, aligns with a growing trend of more moderate and engagement-focused messaging from the current leadership.

At the regional level, India has also confirmed its ongoing engagement with the Taliban government. On March 20, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that New Delhi had chosen to engage with those in control in Afghanistan, driven by humanitarian imperatives. India has provided large-scale food aid, COVID-19 vaccines, and development assistance since August 2021, and Indian envoys have met with top Taliban officials in recent months.

India’s approach mirrors a broader recalibration of regional strategy. As the U.S. looks to stabilize its influence in South Asia, some analysts suggest that India may become a more active partner in shaping regional outcomes, while traditional players such as Pakistan—closely aligned with China—may find their roles shifting in the evolving landscape.

Although there is no official confirmation from U.S. authorities regarding a change in Haqqani’s legal designation, the combination of recent diplomatic activity, removals from key sanctions lists, and a shift in regional posture point to a growing willingness by international actors to engage in measured, pragmatic dialogue with the Afghan leadership.

A group of protesting women has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to prosecute Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. representative for Afghanistan peace affairs.

In an open letter to Trump, the women accused Zalmay Khalilzad of betraying American values and turning the Taliban into a legitimate group. They said his actions led to the oppression Afghan women now face under Taliban rule.

The protesters issued a statement on Saturday, March 22, accusing Khalilzad of contributing to the resurgence of the Taliban and of compromising women’s rights in Afghanistan. They believe that the peace agreements he helped facilitate have had devastating effects on the female population in the country, restricting their access to essential rights and opportunities for development.

The letter, signed by over a dozen women’s organizations, including the Afghan Women’s Lantern Movement and the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement, calls for Zalmay Khalilzad to be held accountable in a court of law.

The groups emphasized that Afghan women, as direct victims of Khalilzad’s actions, are suffering the catastrophic consequences of his policies. They demand a fair and transparent legal process to address these issues.

They emphasize that his efforts led to a situation where millions of Afghan women and girls have been deprived of education and employment opportunities.

This controversial call comes amid reports that Khalilzad has recently traveled to Afghanistan under Taliban rule as part of a U.S. delegation to negotiate the release of an American citizen. Despite the years of diplomatic work he has done, the women’s protests underscore their belief that his actions have indirectly harmed the future of millions of Afghanistan’s women.

As the protests continue to grow, there are increasing calls for accountability regarding the peace processes that led to the Taliban’s resurgence. These events highlight the stark contrast between the promises of peace and the harsh reality faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule. The growing dissatisfaction and outcry from women’s rights groups could influence future U.S. foreign policy decisions on Afghanistan.