Kabul, Feb. 12 -- The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote this Thursday on whether to extend the mandate of its Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team on Afghanistan, a key panel tasked with overseeing the sanctions regime targeting the country's ruling Taliban authorities, reported Tolo News.

The team's current term is set to expire on February 17, and Council members describe the upcoming vote as a pivotal decision in the international community's handling of Afghanistan.

The sanctions monitoring team plays a central role in assessing compliance with and enforcement of measures including asset freezes, travel bans and arms embargoes directed at individuals, groups and entities associated with the Islamic Emi...