The Arghawani Saturdays Movement has called the upcoming gathering of Afghan political and civil society figures in Pakistan an opportunity to exert international pressure on the Taliban and express solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.
While urging caution in dealings with Pakistan, the women’s movement emphasized that all regional developments and conferences concerning Afghanistan must prioritize the national interests of its citizens.
In a public statement, the movement asserted that no decision contrary to the rights and interests of Afghanistan’s people should be taken. It urged participants of the Islamabad conference to press Pakistan’s government to end its support for the Taliban and to recognize the gender apartheid enforced in Afghanistan.
The statement also highlighted the need to overcome “historical hostilities and confrontational perspectives” between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
While expressing appreciation for Pakistan’s past hospitality towards Afghanistan’s refugees, the Arghawani Saturdays Movement called on conference participants to urge Islamabad to halt the forced deportations—particularly of individuals who face serious threats upon return.
The conference, hosted by Islamabad’s SASSI University on August 24–25, is expected to bring together Afghan political figures and civil society activists. Although organizers have framed the event as a platform for dialogue on regional and domestic developments, recent days have seen sharp criticism from figures like Zalmay Khalilzad, who openly urged non-participation.
Meanwhile, Taliban authorities have responded with threats. On Thursday, Mohammad Naeem, deputy for finance and administration at the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that any move by these opposition figures would lead to “serious consequences” for the so-called instigators.
