ISLAMABAD – In a breakthrough development, a high-level dialogue bringing together Afghan political figures and women’s rights activists is poised to take place in Islamabad next week. The event, organised under the auspices of a prominent regional think tank, aims to foster inclusive discourse and reintroduce voices long marginalized under the current regime in Afghanistan.
The two-day forum, titled “Towards Unity and Trust,” will assemble a diverse spectrum of Afghan stakeholders, including exiled politicians, civil society representatives, and women’s rights advocates. Among those expected to attend are noted figures such as former Afghan economy minister Mustafa Mastoor, media founder Zahra Joya, and women’s rights champion Fawzia Koofi. Their presence marks a rare opportunity for collective engagement—at a time when Afghan women face escalating constraints and limited representation.
The event underscores Islamabad’s evolving and more nuanced approach to Afghan affairs. While positioned as an academic and trust-building initiative, the gathering carries significant political undertones. Organisers have highlighted that it offers a critical platform for dialogue that underscores the inclusion of voices absent from official diplomatic channels—a step many see as vital to forging a more representative Afghan discourse.
The Taliban regime has condemned the gathering as subversive, a response that some observers interpret as confirming the importance of such inclusive platforms. At the same time, the initiative reflects regional efforts to pave new diplomatic avenues focused on reconciliation and societal inclusion—particularly in the face of worsening human rights conditions and the menacing sidelining of women in Afghanistan’s public life.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.