Islamabad – Pakistan has rejected allegations made by former United States envoy Zalmay Khalilzad that the country is hosting Afghan exiles opposed to the Taliban with the intent of destabilizing Afghanistan. Khalilzad’s comments, posted on X, described the upcoming Islamabad conference on 25-26 August as “immature, irresponsible, and unfortunate,” suggesting it could worsen the trust deficit between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Hosting Afghan exiles in an academic forum aligns with international norms of track-two diplomacy and reflects Pakistan’s intention to facilitate constructive dialogue rather than engage in destabilizing activities.
Pakistan maintains that efforts to politicize academic forums are counterproductive and risks undermining broader peace-building initiatives in South-Central Asia.
Pakistan Clarifies Academic Nature of Event
Officials and organizers have stressed that the conference, titled “Towards Unity and Trust”, is an academic and civil-society initiative hosted by South Asian Strategic Stability Institute University (SASSI) in collaboration with Women for Afghanistan (WFA).
In a letter addressed to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SASSI University emphasized that the dialogue is aimed at fostering peace, stability, and mutual understanding, not regime change. Visa facilitation for participants was requested solely to enable academic engagement, underscoring the track-two diplomacy nature of the event.
A government official reiterated:
We strongly reject mischaracterisations regarding the forthcoming Pak-Afghan Dialogue. The event is an academic initiative hosted by SASSI University in collaboration with civil society partners, not a government-sponsored political activity.
The official added that equating the conference with destabilization is factually incorrect and misleading and highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to serving as a platform for inclusive regional dialogue, complementing official diplomatic efforts.
Fact Check and Strategic Context
Analysts note that Khalilzad’s framing of the event as a political provocation overlooks its academic and civil-society orientation. The conference includes scholars, policy experts, and Afghan civil society representatives, signaling Pakistan’s convening role in promoting dialogue beyond purely security-focused channels.
Observers also point out the timing of Khalilzad’s post, just ahead of a planned trilateral meeting between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China, as potentially aimed at undermining regional confidence-building. The fact-check further notes that the conference is led by Dr Maria Sultan of SASSI University and is being conducted transparently with civil-society participation.
Regional Implications
The Islamabad conference is part of a broader effort to rebuild trust between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have historically struggled with political tensions and a deficit of cooperation.
