Fawzia Koofi, former member of Afghanistan’s parliament and a prominent women’s rights activist, has sharply criticized Zalmay Khalilzad’s opposition to the upcoming Islamabad conference of Taliban critics, stressing that Afghan women and civic forces have the right to meet freely and discuss the country’s future.
Highlighting the dire reality facing Afghan women, Koofi said: “Women and girls in my country endure one of the most oppressive realities in today’s world. Engaging with regional countries is key to influencing this situation. If states like Pakistan are willing to create space for such dialogue, it should be recognized as a positive step toward building trust between our peoples.”
Responding to doubts raised about the legitimacy of the gathering, she added: “Why do some former diplomats oppose it? Is it because they want to remain forever as the architects of our nation’s destiny? It is time we decide for ourselves what is best for us.”
Koofi emphasized the need for collective backing of any initiative that could lead to a peaceful resolution of the crisis and the restoration of women’s rights in Afghanistan.
The “Toward Unity and Trust” conference, scheduled for September 3–4 in Islamabad, is organized by Women for Afghan Women and the South Asia Strategic Stability Institute. Organizers describe it as a civic platform for dialogue on Afghanistan’s future—an initiative observers say could be a serious attempt to forge a unified voice among opponents of the Taliban.
