Afghan Taliban thank Pakistan for support at Doha conference

DOHA: An important meeting between representatives of Pakistan and the Afghan interim government took place in Doha, where the latter thanked the former for lending support for the rulers of Afghanistan.

The meeting, held at the residence of Pakistani Ambassador Muhammad Ejaz in the Qatari capital, included a dinner in honour of the Afghan delegation. The Pakistani side was led by Asif Durrani, with Deputy Head of Mission in Kabul, Obaidur Rehman Nizamani, also in attendance.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Afghan interim government, led the Afghan delegation. The discussions were held in a conducive and positive atmosphere, sources said.

The meeting covered the Doha-3 conference and various bilateral and regional issues.

According to diplomatic sources, the Afghan delegation expressed gratitude to Pakistan for supporting their position at the conference.

Diplomatic sources also said that the Afghan interim delegation met with the Indian delegation in Doha.

In a statement on X, Zabihullah Mujahid described the meeting with Asif Durrani and other Pakistani officials as very good. He expressed gratitude for the hospitality and hoped for positive relations between the two countries.

د پاکستان له ځانګړي استازي ښاغلي آصف دراني او په دوحه کې د هغه هېواد له سفیر او کنسلانو سره مو ماښامنۍ او ډیره ښه ناسته درلوده.
د هغو له میلمستیا څخه مننه او د دواړو هېوادونو لپاره د ښه او رغنده اړیکو هیله لرو. pic.twitter.com/4bxdOAr8n4

— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) July 2, 2024

Mujahid also said that “the Doha meeting has concluded. Afghanistan’s messages have been conveyed to all participating countries. Afghanistan requires cooperation from countries in the areas of private sector collaboration for combating narcotics, and alternative livelihoods. Most countries expressed their willingness to cooperate in these areas.

Meanwhile, international envoys raised concerns about restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan during meetings with the country’s ruling Taliban in Qatar, United Nations’ political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo said on Monday.

According to Reuters, the two-day, UN-led meeting was the first of its kind attended by the Taliban who have not been internationally recognised since seizing power in 2021 as US-led forces withdrew after 20 years of war.

“Running through all the discussions was the deep international concern – from special envoys and from me – about the ongoing and serious restrictions on women and girls,” DiCarlo said in a statement.

“Afghanistan cannot return to the international fold, or fully develop economically and socially, if it is deprived of the contributions and potential of half its population,” she added.

Since the Taliban’s return to power, most girls have been barred from high school and women from universities.

Also read: UN, Taliban talks: Why are Afghan women not invited?

The Taliban have also stopped most Afghan female staff from working at aid agencies, closed beauty salons, barred women from parks and curtailed travel for women in the absence of a male guardian.

The Taliban say they respect rights in line with their interpretation of Islamic law.

DiCarlo said the engagement on Sunday and Monday with the Taliban authorities did not mean recognition of their government but was a part of the international community’s broader effort to resolve issues facing millions of Afghans.

The talks on Monday looked at the private sector and narcotics in particular.

“There was broad agreement on the need to chart a clear way forward,” DiCarlo said.

Rights groups criticised the U.N. for not having Afghan women at the table with the Taliban in Doha.

DiCarlo said she was aware of the criticism but organisers faced a tough choice because they had to arrange a direct meeting with the “de facto” rulers of Afghanistan and international envoys.

“Regrettably, the de facto authorities will not sit across the table with Afghan civil society in this format,” she said.