Pakistan Excludes Taliban from ECO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

DID Press: Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it has not invited the Taliban government to attend the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council of Ministers meeting, scheduled to take place in Islamabad on November 15–16.

Sajjad Haider Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed the decision, saying the exclusion of the Taliban was consistent with the current practices of some ECO member states.

He added that member countries have adopted different approaches to inviting Taliban representatives to the organization’s meetings.Afghanistan is a full member of the ECO, but the participation of Taliban representatives in the organization’s meetings has faced restrictions and varying approaches from host countries in recent years.

The decision by Islamabad comes amid escalating security and political tensions between Pakistan and Kabul, highlighting the impact of bilateral disputes on the Taliban government’s regional relations.

Pakistan could use its diplomatic influence and position as host to increase pressure on the Taliban administration.