Islamabad Meeting Postponed Under Kabul Pressure, Pakistani Media Reports

A planned gathering of Afghan opposition figures in Islamabad has been postponed following pressure from Kabul, according to reports in Pakistani media.

The meeting, originally scheduled for August 25–26 and hosted by the Islamabad-based SASSI Institute, was intended to discuss Afghanistan’s future with a focus on peace, stability, and development. However, Taliban officials reportedly objected to the participation of anti-Taliban figures.

During a recent trilateral meeting in Kabul, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to have urged his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, to prevent these figures from attending, citing their opposition to the Taliban government.

Among those invited were former Afghan officials including Fawzia Koofi, former member of parliament; Mustafa Mastoor, former Minister of Economy; and Habib-ur-Rahman Hikmatyar. No Taliban representatives were invited to the event.

Former U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad also criticized the participation of anti-Taliban figures, accusing Pakistan of enabling groups opposed to the Taliban regime.

The postponement highlights the persistent political sensitivities surrounding Afghanistan’s opposition movement and the Taliban’s influence on regional diplomacy. It also underscores the difficulties of advancing inclusive dialogue in a polarized environment, where external pressure continues to shape political initiatives.

Observers note that the international community remains concerned about Afghanistan’s prospects for peace and stability, stressing that constructive engagement between Afghan factions—free from external interference—is essential for the country’s long-term development.

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