Afghan Opposition Calls for Political Office in Islamabad

Islamabad, Oct 1 (PTI) Afghan opposition leaders and civil society activists have called for the establishment of a political office in Islamabad to amplify pressure on the Afghan interim government.

The two-day closed-door conference, held on September 29-30, emphasized that the Taliban's Islamic Emirate does not represent the Afghan populace.

The event, titled “Towards Unity and Trust," was organized by the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute University (SASSI) and supported by the Geneva-based Women for Afghanistan (WFA). It attracted at least 37 Afghan leaders, including several women.

Prominent figures at the conference included former MP and women's rights activist Fawzia Koofi, ex-Kabul governor Ahmed Ullah Alizai, Badakhshan politician Aman Ullah Paiman, and activist Raheel Talash.

Financed by UN Women, the US-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the conference aimed to craft a collective vision for a peaceful Afghanistan.

However, participants were forthright in their rejection of Taliban governance, as reported by The Express Tribune. They advocated for “peaceful pressure tactics” in the initial phase.

Some participants urged Islamabad to open political offices for Afghan opposition groups until their demands were addressed.

Senior journalist Tahir Khan stated that despite organizers’ denial, discussions made the agenda clear. He noted, “Yes, some participants demanded that Islamabad establish an office for Afghan opposition members.”

When questioned about the absence of Taliban representatives, participants explained that their inclusion was deemed inappropriate at this early stage.

Fawzia Koofi highlighted Pakistan’s regional influence, stating, “As the biggest regional player, Pakistan's policies affect its neighbors. Hence, the first phase of this session was held in Islamabad, with more such conferences to follow.”

She pointed out that Afghanistan has 18 million women who remain unrepresented under Taliban rule, noting, “One group cannot decide for 90 percent of the country.”

Koofi added, “When women are barred from work, study, or public life, disasters ensue. In Kunar, the exclusion of women from rescue operations resulted in higher casualties among women and children.”

Former General Ijaz dismissed claims that the gathering was merely a pressure tactic, insisting, “This is not about pressuring Emirate-e-Islami Afghanistan, but about exploring a peaceful path forward.”

Concurrently, he admitted, “We acknowledge that the TTP has blood on their hands, yet we seek peaceful and meaningful talks with Emirate-e-Islami Afghanistan.”

The meeting, initially scheduled for August 25-26, was postponed following criticism from notable figures, including former US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Khalilzad described the conference as “unwise,” attributing it to the participation of Taliban opponents.

“Afghan citizens are entitled to their political views, but Pakistan's apparent support by hosting this conference is profoundly unwise and seemingly provocative,” he stated on X.

The event was the first gathering of political adversaries of the Afghan Taliban since the group's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, ousting a government backed by the NATO-led western alliance.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)