ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held talks on the latest developments in Afghanistan, focusing on efforts to address the country’s worsening humanitarian situation, according to Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan.
Sadiq met with Tarig Ali Bakheet, the OIC’s special envoy for Afghanistan, on the sidelines of an international education summit on girls’ education in the Muslim world. The discussions reportedly emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to tackle Afghanistan’s ongoing crises, including challenges related to education and women’s rights.
Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan’s education minister, noted the absence of representatives from the Taliban administration at the conference. “We had extended an invitation to Afghanistan, but no one from the Afghan government was at the conference,” Siddiqui said.
The OIC has consistently voiced concerns over the Taliban’s restrictive policies toward women, particularly the bans on female education and employment. These measures have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community and Muslim-majority countries, including several OIC member states, which have urged the Taliban to uphold women’s rights in accordance with Islamic principles.
The absence of Taliban at the summit highlights the growing isolation of Afghanistan’s leadership amid mounting criticism of its policies. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in the country continues to deteriorate, with millions facing food insecurity, economic collapse, and restricted access to essential services.
