ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – Pakistan is hosting a significant gathering of Afghan political opponents, the first of its kind since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Organizers have stressed that the two-day “Regional Dialogue: Towards Unity and Trust” is “not against the Taliban government,” but rather an effort to foster consensus on Afghanistan’s future stability and inclusivity.
The meeting comes amidst a period of delicate bilateral rapprochement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, marked by the revival of the Joint Coordination Committee and the upgrading of diplomatic ranks. However, the dialogue has drawn international scrutiny, including public criticism from Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special envoy, who called the hosting of the meeting “hugely unwise and an intended provocation” due to the participation of Taliban critics.
Former Afghan parliamentarian Fawzia Koofi, who co-leads the organizing body Women for Afghanistan (WFA), challenged the criticism, asking, “Isn’t it time to let us craft what is good for us?”
Focus on Inclusivity and Shared Principles
The primary aim of the dialogue, co-hosted by WFA and the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) University, is to “promote inclusive and constructive discussions among leaders, including men and women from diverse segments of society in Afghanistan, to develop a shared understanding and identify common principles.” Participants, many of whom were part of the previous governments of Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani, are focusing on stability, rule of law, and reaffirming support for women’s rights and inclusion.
The closed-door meeting’s first day was dedicated to Afghan leaders exchanging perspectives. The second day, September 30th, will feature a Joint Pak-Afghan Session with “focused discussions aimed at building trust, identifying common ground and advancing a people-centric approach to address regional challenges.” The organizers fundamentally believe that “peace between people leads to peace between nations.”
Security Concerns and Regional Context
The dialogue takes place against a backdrop of lingering security tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan has repeatedly demanded that the Afghan authorities take decisive action against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghan soil.
In July, following a visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Kabul, Pakistan reported receiving “recent assurances” that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorism. Earlier this year, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir pointed out that the presence of the TTP and cross-border attacks remained the only point of contention between the two neighbouring nations.
Organizers hope the current dialogue, by prioritizing a people-centric approach focused on economic development and regional cooperation, will lead to a more enhanced and meaningful relationship between the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, ultimately fostering sustained peace in the region.
