Pakistan Hosts Taliban Opponents for High-Stakes Talks in London

DID Press: second round of the Islamabad Conference is set to take place Tuesday in London, bringing together several figures opposed to the Taliban and individuals close to the government of Pakistan. Informed sources said the meeting will focus on political dialogue and coordination amid rising regional tensions. The first round of the conference was held in October 2025 in Islamabad.

According to sources, escalating tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban have triggered expanded multi-layered contacts between Pakistan’s political circles and non-Pashtun Afghan groups, paving the way for broader consultations and new political initiatives. These developments reflect growing concern in Islamabad over cross-border security and the future political balance in Afghanistan.

The initial conference was hosted by the Institute of Strategic Stability for South Asia and Women for Afghanistan, drawing a sharp reaction from the Taliban leadership. At least 30 representatives from political movements, civil society organizations, and officials from Afghanistan’s former government participated, alongside roughly 40 former senior Pakistani officials.

In their closing statement after the first round, participants emphasized that peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan are inseparably linked. They noted the gathering had produced an unprecedented level of consensus on the shared future of the two nations. The conference itself had been postponed at least three times before it was ultimately convened.