Taliban Opposition Meeting In Islamabad Delayed Over Visa Issues
A planned gathering of Taliban opponents in Pakistan has been postponed after participants faced difficulties obtaining visas, two sources told Afghanistan International.
A planned gathering of Taliban opponents in Pakistan has been postponed after participants faced difficulties obtaining visas, two sources told Afghanistan International.
One participant said the meeting is now expected to take place in the last week of September.
The two-day event, organised by Pakistan’s South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI), is set to bring together representatives of Afghan political groups, civil society, women’s rights activists and media, alongside Pakistani academics and policymakers. Organisers say the goal is to define common principles for stability, rule of law and a representative government in Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry had earlier confirmed the conference, describing it as an “open event” hosted by a think tank. On Friday, ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the gathering would go ahead under SASSI’s auspices.
The meeting has drawn sharp reactions. Former US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad criticised Pakistan’s decision to host the event, calling it “immature, irresponsible and unfortunate.”
Maria Sultan, head of SASSI, responded that the conference had unsettled Khalilzad’s “peace” and extended an invitation for him to attend as an honorary guest. Afghan women’s rights activist Fawzia Koofi also rebuked Khalilzad, saying Afghans had lost their rights due to his “bad faith and mismanagement” during the peace process. She argued it was better to invite him to the meeting than allow him to see it as a threat.
Although Pakistan has engaged closely with the Taliban since their return to power in 2021, tensions have grown amid worsening security inside Pakistan. Islamabad has accused the Taliban of allowing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters to shelter across the border. Analysts say Pakistan’s frustrations with the Taliban’s inaction against the TTP have led it to encourage dialogue with Taliban opponents instead.
