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Britain says recognition of IEA conditional on women’s rights, counterterrorism
Britain’s special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Lindsay, has said formal diplomatic relations with Kabul will only be possible once the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) is recognized by the international community as a legitimate government — a process he said depends on concrete steps in human rights and security.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with BBC in Kabul, Lindsay stressed that Britain’s priorities include security, economic stability, and the return of Afghan women and girls to education and public life. He also voiced concern over growing tensions between the IEA and Pakistan.
Addressing the future of Afghanistan’s embassy in London, which was closed after the IEA revoked the credentials of the former ambassador, Lindsay said official diplomatic ties could resume only after international recognition of the current authorities.
He said his repeated visits to Kabul are aimed at encouraging IEA officials to take steps toward re-engagement with the world. According to Lindsay, those steps include guaranteeing girls’ access to secondary and higher education, protecting human rights, and ensuring Afghan soil is not used by terrorist groups to threaten other countries.
The British envoy acknowledged that humanitarian funding for Afghanistan remains insufficient despite mounting needs. Citing U.N. figures showing that millions of Afghan women and girls require humanitarian support, he said global crises are competing for limited aid resources. However, he noted that Britain remains one of Afghanistan’s largest bilateral donors and has allocated £150 million this year for food assistance and nutritional support for mothers and children.
Lindsay defended continued engagement with the IEA despite criticism from Afghan women who say years of diplomatic visits have failed to improve conditions. He argued that educating girls and enabling women to participate in the economy is in Afghanistan’s own long-term interest.
On regional tensions, Lindsay expressed concern over disputes between Kabul and Islamabad and the impact of Durand Line crossing closures on trade and families. He clarified that Britain is not acting as a mediator, noting that countries such as Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China have taken more active roles in facilitating dialogue between the two sides.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has urged spokespersons of all Emirate institutions to intensify efforts aimed at strengthening information dissemination and expanding cooperation with media outlets.
Speaking at a coordination meeting held on Tuesday at the Government Information and Media Center, Mujahid praised the efforts of institutional spokespersons in sharing information and described their role in improving the effectiveness and coordination of public communication as important.
He stressed the need for continued cooperation and called on spokespersons to play a more active role in strengthening government-related content through media platforms and the Parmakhtag website.
Mujahid also highlighted the importance of media in delivering information, raising public awareness, reflecting realities, and strengthening public trust in the government.
Noorullah Noori, Minister of Borders, Ethnic and Tribal Affairs, says that objectives such as establishing an Islamic system, ensuring security, and achieving national unity in Afghanistan have now been fulfilled, and has called on opponents of the Islamic Emirate living abroad to return to the country.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Noori addressed opponents of the Islamic Emirate, saying: “If your jihad against the Russians was aimed at establishing an Islamic system, ensuring security, and achieving national unity, then today these objectives have been achieved in Afghanistan. Return to your country and present whatever suggestions or opinions you may have.”
Noori added that opponents of the Islamic Emirate based in Turkey, Pakistan, and several other countries should stop claiming that they seek to “liberate Afghanistan,” because Afghanistan is now a free country. He warned that no one will be given permission or the opportunity to cause bloodshed in the country again.
He urged them to come back to Afghanistan and present any proposals or demands they may have regarding the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
He said: “What is your voice, your message, and your demand? Our country has regained its freedom from occupiers, and today there is not a single foreign soldier present anywhere in Afghanistan. So, from whom do you intend to liberate the country? Return to your homeland and put forward your proposals. The people of Afghanistan have learned from the past. Today, not even a single dead body is seen across Afghanistan, and Afghans neither expect to see coffins again, nor will anyone be given the opportunity to cause bloodshed in this country once more.”
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Khalilzad urges Pakistan to heed UN call for dialogue with Afghanistan
His comments came after Guterres urged all parties to protect civilians and comply with international humanitarian law following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces.
Former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has called on Pakistan to respond positively to the United Nations’ appeal for dialogue, saying Afghanistan has consistently sought a diplomatic solution to tensions between the two neighboring countries.
In a post on X, Khalilzad referred to UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for Afghanistan and Pakistan to end hostilities and resolve their differences through diplomacy.
He said Afghanistan has repeatedly made clear that it prefers dialogue over conflict and has presented several proposals aimed at reducing tensions.
“Will the Pakistani establishment listen to the UN Secretary-General? I hope so, but I am not optimistic,” Khalilzad wrote.
His comments came a day after Guterres urged all parties to protect civilians and comply with international humanitarian law following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar.
Speaking on behalf of the UN chief, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General was deeply concerned by the escalation and called on both countries to settle their differences through diplomatic means.
“We continue to call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and stress that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times,” Dujarric said.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said numerous civilians were killed and injured in the overnight airstrikes, while humanitarian agencies warned that the attacks had also displaced families and created urgent humanitarian needs.
According to Afghan authorities, at least 36 civilians were killed and more than 160 others wounded in the strikes, with women, children and elderly people among the casualties.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemned the strikes as a violation of the country’s sovereignty and airspace, describing them as a “crime” and a “cowardly act.”
Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated sharply in recent months over Durand Line security and militancy, with both sides accusing each other of failing to prevent cross-frontier attacks. The latest exchange has heightened concerns of further escalation, prompting renewed international calls for restraint and dialogue.
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