Description

NSE circular implementing Section 51A of UAPA 1967, notifying amendments to 17 entries on the UN Security Council 1988 Sanctions List (Taliban-related individuals) effective 28 April 2026. Financial intermediaries must update their watch lists accordingly.

Summary

NSE has issued a circular under Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, notifying market participants of amendments to 17 entries on the UN Security Council’s 1988 Sanctions List (Taliban-related individuals and entities). The amendments were enacted by the UN Security Council Committee on 28 April 2026 and include updated passport details, addresses, aliases, and biographical information for listed individuals.

Key Points

  • The UN Security Council Committee (established under Resolution 1988/2011) amended 17 entries on 28 April 2026
  • Amendments include updated passport numbers, expiry dates, addresses, and aliases for Taliban-associated individuals
  • Two specific individuals with amended entries include: Abdul Kabir Mohammad Jan (TAi.003) and Abdul Latif Mansur (TAi.007)
  • Abdul Kabir Mohammad Jan: new passport D0009925 (issued 22 May 2022, expires 22 May 2027), formerly Second Deputy Economic Affairs and Governor of Nangarhar Province under Taliban regime
  • Abdul Latif Mansur: two passports updated — D0009720 (expires 12 Oct 2026) and D0010442 (expires 13 Nov 2029), formerly Minister of Agriculture under Taliban regime
  • Fazl Mohammad Mazloom (TAi.023) also amended — former Deputy Chief of Army Staff of Taliban regime
  • All listed individuals remain subject to assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo under UNSC Resolution 2816 (2026)

Regulatory Changes

  • UNSC Resolution 2816 (2026) governs the current sanctions regime under Chapter VII of the UN Charter
  • 17 entries on the 1988 Sanctions List updated with revised identification details (passport numbers, issuance/expiry dates, addresses, aliases)
  • Changes enacted under the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1988 (2011)

Compliance Requirements

  • All SEBI-registered intermediaries (brokers, depositories, mutual funds, banks, etc.) must update their sanctions screening and watch-list systems with the 17 amended entries
  • Intermediaries are required under UAPA Section 51A to freeze funds/assets of any listed individual or entity without prior notice
  • KYC/AML systems must reflect updated passport numbers and aliases to ensure accurate screening
  • Any existing account or transaction matches against amended entries must be reported to the relevant authorities immediately
  • Members/participants must ensure their compliance and surveillance teams are notified of these updates

Important Dates

  • 28 April 2026: UN Security Council Committee enacted the 17 amendments to the 1988 Sanctions List
  • 4 May 2026: NSE circular issued notifying market intermediaries
  • Compliance with updated watch lists expected immediately upon receipt of circular

Impact Assessment

This circular has a medium operational impact on financial market intermediaries. While no listed securities or trading operations are directly affected, all SEBI-registered entities must update their AML/KYC screening databases to reflect the 17 amended entries. Failure to comply with UAPA Section 51A obligations carries significant legal risk including criminal liability. The amendments are primarily administrative — updating identification documents and biographical data of already-listed Taliban-affiliated individuals — rather than adding new designations, so the screening burden is manageable. Intermediaries with robust automated sanctions screening systems will need to re-ingest the updated UNSC 1988 list.

Impact Justification

Mandatory sanctions compliance under UAPA Section 51A requires all SEBI-registered intermediaries to freeze assets and update watch lists; high importance due to legal obligation, medium market impact as no specific listed securities are affected.