A meeting set to take place in Pakistan on Aug. 25–26 will focus on human rights, the situation of women and girls, and Afghanistan’s political future, sources told Amu TV on Saturday.
About 25 to 30 participants, including political party figures, civil society activists, women’s rights defenders and representatives of protest movements, are expected to attend, the sources said. Senior Pakistani officials are also slated to take part.
Former U.S. envoy for Afghan peace Zalmay Khalilzad earlier said Pakistan would host a gathering of “Afghan exiles and politicians opposed to the Taliban.” He noted that some participants support the violent overthrow of the Taliban.
In a post on X, Khalilzad criticized Pakistan’s apparent support for the event. “Afghan citizens have the right to their political views, but Pakistan’s hosting of this meeting is unwise and provocative,” he said, adding that Islamabad would respond similarly if the Taliban hosted an anti-Pakistan gathering.
He warned that the move could further strain already tense Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, calling it “childish, irresponsible and regrettable.”
The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan confirmed to Amu TV that it was invited but will not attend.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has not commented on the planned meeting.
The news comes after Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi postponed a scheduled trip to Pakistan last week.
But sources form Pakistan said that the meeting is in an unofficial level under the title of the Pak-Afghan Dialogue “Towards Unity and Trust”. Sources said the event is an academic initiative for peace and stability.
The forum is led by SASSI University and civil society, designed for confidence-building, the sources said.
The sources confirmed that the meeting will take place on 25, and 26.
