MALE, Maldives — The Maldivian government has declared a recent meeting between its ambassador to Pakistan, Mohammad Taha, and the Taliban’s envoy in Islamabad, Ahmad Shakeeb, as “unauthorized.”
The statement followed the circulation of images on social media showing Ambassador Taha meeting with Shakeeb in what was reported as an official meeting.
In response, the Maldivian government emphasized that the encounter had taken place without its approval and was not sanctioned by Maldivian authorities.
According to Maldivian media, the government indicated that “appropriate measures” would be taken regarding the incident, though specifics were not disclosed.
In the statement, the Maldives reaffirmed its stance under the United Nations Charter, stating it does not recognize the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan. The meeting, it said, was therefore “unauthorized” and inconsistent with its diplomatic policy.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Faisal, a former Maldivian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, criticized the government’s statement, arguing that it contradicted diplomatic norms. “Ambassadors typically do not need prior permission to meet with other diplomats or officials,” Faisal said, adding that calling the meeting “unauthorized” went against established diplomatic protocols.
He further noted that the presence of other diplomats in the circulated images suggested the meeting was conducted in an official capacity, raising questions about the Maldivian government’s stance.
Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan remains unrecognized by any country or international organization.
Numerous governments have refrained from sending ambassadors to Taliban-led Afghanistan, citing human rights abuses, particularly regarding women’s rights, and the Taliban’s ties to extremist groups.
