Pakistan Hosts Exiled Taliban Opponents as Tripartite Meeting Takes Place in Kabul

Kokcha News Agency – Pakistan will host a gathering of exiled Taliban opponents on August 25-26 in Islamabad, according to sources. The meeting, organized by the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI), aims to build trust among stakeholders. Among the attendees are figures who support armed resistance against the Taliban, as confirmed by Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

While the exact list of participants remains unclear, reports suggest that former jihadist leaders and civil activists will be present. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

This development comes as Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s planned visit to Islamabad earlier this month was postponed due to the United Nations denying him travel permission.

Simultaneously, Kabul is set to host a tripartite meeting this week. According to Pakistani media, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Pakistani Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will meet in Kabul on Wednesday. The agenda is expected to include counter-terrorism efforts and the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under the Belt and Road Initiative.