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Khalilzad warns Afghan invitees against participating in ‘ISI-backed conference’
Former U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has issued a strong warning to Afghan invitees attending a conference in Islamabad, which he claims is organized by an entity linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
In a message posted on social media platform X, Khalilzad expressed respect for the invitees’ right to advocate for their beliefs and acknowledged shared concerns about Afghanistan’s current situation and leadership. However, he emphasized that the ISI’s intentions are not aligned with an independent, free, united, and strong Afghanistan, but rather the opposite.
“Look at its record in Afghanistan and look at what it is doing in Pakistan,” Khalilzad said, highlighting the controversial role of the ISI in regional affairs. He further noted that several Afghan invitees had declined participation due to concerns over a lack of transparency surrounding the conference.
Khalilzad questioned who is funding the event and whether its underlying objectives are clear to the participants. He advised that the conference, as currently organized, is not a suitable platform for patriotic Afghans.
“Organize it yourselves and independently, somewhere else, not tainted like this one. I do not believe you would want the ISI stamp on your forehead,” Khalilzad added.
A major regional dialogue involving Afghan leaders and women activists will be held in Islamabad on August 25-26, with organisers stressing that the gathering is not against the Islamic Emirate, but is intended to foster peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.
The South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (Sassi) University is hosting the two-day, closed-door event, which marks the launch of the Islamabad Process.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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