Taliban Urges Pakistan To Separate Politics From Trade In Kabul Talks

They accuse Khalilzad of enabling the Taliban’s return to power and contributing to the oppression of Afghan women.

In their letter, the women’s rights groups allege that Khalilzad acted not as a neutral diplomat but as a “traitorous agent” who helped transform the Taliban from a proscribed terrorist organisation into a recognised political force. They argue that his efforts to legitimise the group laid the groundwork for the Taliban’s return to power and the current repression of women in Afghanistan.

The signatories claim that Khalilzad’s policies directly led to the systematic stripping of women’s basic rights, including access to education, work, and participation in public life. They assert that his actions are responsible for what they describe as the Taliban’s reign of oppression and humiliation against Afghan women.

The groups have also called on the US State Department to launch a full investigation into Khalilzad’s role in the fall of Afghanistan. They urge American authorities to ensure he is prosecuted in a court of law and prevented from having any future influence on US policy towards Afghanistan.

The protest groups highlight Khalilzad’s repeated assurances that the Taliban had changed and would respect human rights, which they say have proven false. They cite the Taliban’s continuing repression, the exclusion of women from public life, and the resurgence of extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS in Afghanistan.

The women’s groups argue that these developments confirm the failure of Khalilzad’s diplomatic approach and represent a betrayal of American and Afghan values. They blame his strategy for endangering Afghan lives and undermining the freedoms once gained by Afghan women.

The letter follows Khalilzad’s recent visit to Kabul as part of a US delegation, during which he met with Taliban officials, including Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. This marked the first official visit by a US delegation to Afghanistan since the US withdrawal in August 2021.

Shortly after this visit, American citizen George Glezmann was released from Taliban custody. The women’s rights groups argue that Khalilzad’s renewed engagement with the Taliban raises fresh concerns about US legitimisation of the group.

In the letter, the protest groups stress that Khalilzad’s decisions have had devastating consequences—not only for Afghanistan but also for the United States, citing the deaths of American soldiers and Afghan civilians during the chaotic withdrawal.

They describe Afghanistan under Taliban rule as a “prison” for millions, especially women, and insist that Khalilzad be held accountable. They call for justice through US legal channels and urge the international community to acknowledge and condemn what they describe as the destructive outcomes of Khalilzad’s policies.

According to the statement, titled Resumption of Consular Services at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Norway, the announcement was shared via the ministry’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Meanwhile, Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier confirmed the appointment of Najibullah Sherkhan, a Taliban representative, as First Secretary at the Afghan Embassy in Oslo.

A letter obtained by Afghanistan International confirms that Norway accepted Sherkhan’s appointment on 31 January 2025, following a formal request by the Afghan Embassy.

In September 2024, Youssof Ghafoorzai, the former Afghan ambassador to Norway, announced the conclusion of his mission after four and a half years of service in Oslo. Following his departure and the subsequent closure of the embassy, a reliable source among former Afghan diplomats in Norway told Afghanistan International that the host country had transferred responsibility for the mission to an individual deemed acceptable by the Taliban.

This development marks a rare case of formal engagement between a European country and a Taliban-appointed diplomat, though Norway, like most nations, has not officially recognised the Taliban government.

This marks Sadiq’s second visit to the Afghan capital in less than three months. His arrival comes at a time when relations between the two sides have deteriorated, particularly over border clashes and migration policies.

One of the main flashpoints has been the Torkham border crossing. On 21 February, Taliban and Pakistani border forces clashed over the construction of a Taliban checkpoint and the installation of a sign by Pakistani authorities at the zero point of the crossing. In response, Pakistan closed the border to trade and passenger movement.

While the crossing was partially reopened on 19 March for patients and cargo trucks, Afghan travellers are still barred from entering Pakistan.

Relations have been further strained by Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown on Afghan migrants. Authorities have ordered Afghan residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to leave the country by the end of March. This policy forms part of a broader effort to deport undocumented Afghans and has drawn criticism from the Taliban.

Islamabad continues to accuse the Taliban of sheltering fighters from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), alleging that the group uses Afghan soil to stage attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban has consistently rejected these claims.

In recent remarks, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi acknowledged that tensions with Pakistan remain unresolved. He said that while the Taliban has cordial relations with its five other neighbours, he hopes the ongoing dispute with Islamabad can also be addressed through dialogue.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony in New Delhi on Thursday, 20 March, Jaishankar stated that the Taliban currently governs Afghanistan and India is choosing to act rather than observe. “To help the Afghan people, we obviously engage with whoever is in control,” he said.

Responding to a question about dealing with the Taliban, Jaishankar explained that India has taken a practical approach based on humanitarian considerations. He highlighted two possible strategies: to observe the situation passively or to actively engage with those in power to offer support. He made it clear that India has chosen the latter.

“We would like to keep the relationship with the Afghan people going, and that’s really what is driving us,” Jaishankar said.

He noted that since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has experienced a severe food crisis. In response, India has sent 500,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan. He also referred to previous support provided by India, including COVID-19 vaccine supplies and development aid to the former Afghan government.

Jaishankar reaffirmed that India has consistently maintained contact with Afghanistan’s leadership across different regimes, based on humanitarian needs.

His comments follow a series of recent developments, including a meeting earlier this year between India’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Vikram Misri, and Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in the United Arab Emirates. During that meeting, Misri pledged support for Afghanistan’s health sector and returning refugees.

An Indian delegation also visited Kabul recently, where they met with senior Taliban officials, including the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs.

Reports have also emerged suggesting that India is considering allowing a Taliban representative to take charge of the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, further indicating a shift towards pragmatic engagement.

The agency noted that while Nowruz is traditionally marked by preparing Samanak, a festive dish symbolising prosperity, many Afghan families can no longer afford basic food supplies.

In a post shared on X on Friday, the WFP said it is working to provide food assistance to those in need and called on donors and supporters to continue their contributions.

Earlier this month, on 2 March, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that this year’s Ramadan had begun with millions of Afghans uncertain about where their next meal would come from. OCHA reported that nearly 15 million people in Afghanistan are currently experiencing food insecurity.

According to the United Nations, at least 23 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian assistance. UN agencies in the country have raised concerns about declining international support and urged donors not to scale back their commitments during what remains a critical time for millions.