Afghanistan cannot achieve prosperity or stability while women and girls are barred from education, work and public life, Britain’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, said following a visit to Kabul.
Lindsay made the remarks after meetings with Taliban officials and civil society representatives, where he also called for reduced tensions between “Afghanistan and Pakistan” and improved humanitarian access, according to a UK government statement.
During the visit, Lindsay met Taliban officials from their prime minister’s office, the Taliban deputy prime minister for economic affairs, the foreign ministry and the interior ministry, the statement said. He also visited the Afghan Red Crescent Society.
The envoy urged de-escalation in tensions with Pakistan and a return to dialogue, saying there is no sustainable military solution.
He warned that continued restrictions on border crossings risk disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid, potentially depriving more than one million women and children of essential nutrition and health services.
Lindsay reiterated that progress on human rights, particularly for women and girls, and inclusive governance remain central to Afghanistan’s relationship with the international community.
He also emphasized the importance of engagement through UN-led processes and called for concrete steps to address concerns related to human rights, governance and counterterrorism.
“This visit was an important opportunity to engage directly with ministers and officials on issues that matter deeply to the UK and the international community, and to the Afghan people,” Lindsay said.
“I emphasized the need for de-escalation of tensions with Pakistan and a return to dialogue. I also expressed my condolences for any civilian casualties from both terrorism and military action,” he added.
The UK remains a major donor to Afghanistan, allocating 151 million pounds (about $190 million) in humanitarian assistance for 2025-2026, according to the statement.
Lindsay said continued international support depends on conditions that allow women to work, children to access education and aid to be delivered safely.
The visit comes amid ongoing tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and a deepening humanitarian crisis, with millions of Afghans relying on international assistance.
