Islamabad — A long-awaited regional dialogue on Afghanistan, postponed earlier in August amid political sensitivities, is now set to take place in Islamabad on September 29–30. Organizers say the initiative, titled “Towards Unity and Trust”, will serve as a platform for Afghan leaders and their Pakistani counterparts to engage in inclusive discussions on stability, cooperation, and women’s participation.
The conference is being organized by Women for Afghanistan (WFA) and the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) University. In a press communique issued on Sunday, the organizers said they were “happy to announce that the first Regional Dialogue and the Islamabad Process will be held,” adding that the event aims to “foster inclusive dialogue, mutual understanding, and lasting cooperation” between Afghan and Pakistani leaders.
Dialogue Format
According to the statement, the dialogue will feature:
- An Afghan-only session, providing space for Afghan leaders, women and men, to “engage openly, exchange perspectives and define shared principles for stability, rule of law, and reaffirming support to women’s rights and inclusion.”
- A joint Pak-Afghan session, focused on building trust, identifying common ground, and advancing a people-centric approach to regional challenges.
The press note emphasized that the process seeks to “strengthen cooperation between Afghan and Pakistani leaders, promote sustainable development, and highlight the importance of women’s participation and inclusive governance.” It added: “Peace between people leads to peace between nations.”
Previous Postponements
The Islamabad conference has faced repeated delays over the past three months. Originally scheduled for June, it was first rescheduled to July, then to August 25–26. According to a report in The Nation, the August date was scrapped after objections from the Taliban regime in Kabul.
The Taliban government was reportedly displeased with the inclusion of Afghan dissidents, particularly figures linked to the National Resistance Front (NRF), such as Jamaluddin Hekmatyar, son of veteran leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. None of the Taliban leaders had been invited to the dialogue.
Sources suggest the postponements came amid diplomatic efforts to convince the Taliban through quiet channels, underscoring the sensitivities of convening Afghan opposition groups in Islamabad.
Broader Participation
Beyond political factions, organizers say civil society leaders and women’s groups are central to the dialogue. In total, invitations were extended to representatives of 38 Afghan opposition parties and civil society organizations, signaling a broad attempt at inclusivity.
The communique stresses that Afghans “must have the space to speak, engage and think together to promote their common values and interests for their country and their people.” It also highlights economic cooperation and trust-building as cornerstones for future Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
Regional Stakes
The timing of the dialogue is significant. Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban government in Kabul have been strained in recent months, particularly over cross-border militancy by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan has repeatedly pressed Kabul to act against the group, while also trying to keep diplomatic engagement open.
Analysts note that the initiative should be viewed as a “people-centric initiative” rather than a purely state-driven one. By emphasizing Afghan voices, especially women, the dialogue seeks to broaden the conversation beyond security and geopolitics.
Reactions and Outlook
While the Taliban regime has not formally endorsed the dialogue, observers say the effort reflects Islamabad’s attempt to create parallel channels of engagement at a time when traditional state-to-state dialogue is proving difficult.
For now, the organizers, WFA and SASSI University, maintain that their initiative is about more than political positioning. “By prioritising dialogue, inclusivity and cooperation, we believe this initiative can pave the way for stronger, more mutually beneficial relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, grounded in unity and trust,” the press release stated.
The Islamabad dialogue reflects the complexities of engaging Afghanistan’s fractured political spectrum. On one hand, the initiative underscores Pakistan’s role as a convening ground for Afghan voices; on the other, it highlights the challenges of balancing Kabul’s sensitivities with the demands of inclusivity.
If successful, the “Islamabad Process” could offer a model of dialogue that complements state-level diplomacy with people-to-people engagement. But if seen as antagonistic by the Taliban, it risks further straining Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
For now, Islamabad’s message is clear: peace between people, as the communique noted, is the path to peace between nations.
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