Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – In Istanbul, the two-day “National Dialogue Process” meeting of Afghan political leaders and influencers concluded on Friday. Supported by Turkey, the high-profile gathering brought together former Afghan government officials and figures associated with the Taliban to discuss Afghanistan’s tumultuous political landscape. Despite intense discussions behind closed doors, the meeting ended without an official statement or resolution, leaving questions about the path forward.
The dialogue was spearheaded by former Afghan officials Hikmat Khalil Karzai, Mustafa Mastoor, and Idris Zaman, and featured attendees such as Jafar Mahdawi of Afghanistan’s National Party, who called on the Taliban to support broad-based dialogues. In an appeal from Kabul, Mahdawi said, “I hope Taliban officials, with an understanding of this valuable Islamic and national approach, will take effective steps to create an environment for inclusive dialogue.” Notably, the meeting included nearly 50 participants, including prominent women’s rights activists like Shukria Barakzai and Fawzia Koofi. Specific details of the discussions, however, were withheld.
Reactions from Afghan citizens highlight deep-rooted skepticism. “These gatherings have had no positive impact on the situation of women, human rights, or Afghanistan’s political future,” commented a Kabul resident. “We want the real demands of the Afghan people to be addressed in all these meetings.”
This meeting follows a series of international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. The United Nations’ Doha Meetings, which began in May 2023, and Russia-led Moscow Format discussions have aimed to address Afghanistan’s political crisis but have met with limited success. Despite multiple rounds of talks, the Taliban has resisted calls for an inclusive government and continues to impose restrictive measures on women’s rights and public freedoms.
As global powers, including Russia, China, and the U.N., strive for a resolution, Afghan citizens continue to demand tangible results from these gatherings, hoping for a future where their voices and rights are truly recognized.
