Islamabad Process is Think-Tank Event, Not Government-Led, Clarified Pakistan

DID Press: Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry clarified that an upcoming Islamabad meeting involving Afghanistan figures is a think-tank initiative and that the government is not involved in its organization.

The Ministry’s spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan emphasized that the event is being held openly and transparently and should not be regarded as an official government position. The meeting, originally scheduled for September 25–26 with around 36 Afghanistani political figures, civil society activists, and women participants, has been postponed due to visa processing issues.

Khan also highlighted security concerns, noting that the presence of terrorist group safe havens in Afghanistan hampers bilateral relations, trade, and regional connectivity. He called on the Taliban caretaker government to address Pakistan’s concerns, stressing that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations are entirely domestic and conducted by police and military forces, though there is intelligence cooperation with friendly nations.

In a reaction to the proposed meeting, Naeem Wardak, Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration in the Taliban caretaker government, issued a warning, saying, “The initiators of this game will face major losses.”

If held, the Islamabad meeting will be the first public gathering of various Afghanistani political parties and movements since the Taliban regained power. Some well-known figures from Afghanistan’s republic-era political scene are expected to participate.

Maria Sultan, head of the South Asia Strategic Stability Institute, described the meeting as a forum for dialogue on peace, stability, and Afghanistan’s future. She stressed that the initiative is “neither political nor anti-Taliban” and aims to provide Afghanistan with an opportunity to exchange views on the country’s situation.

The announcement of Islamabad meeting has already triggered widespread reactions.