DOHA: Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, arrived in Doha on Monday to represent Pakistan in the UN-led talks on Afghanistan, which are being held in the absence of Taliban authorities.
Envoys from the United States, China and Russia — as well as major European aid donors and key neighbours — are among representatives from about 25 countries and groups called for two days of talks by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The incumbent Taliban rulers of the country, however, have not been invited to the meeting, which would focus on how to deal with them and press them to ease a ban on women working and girls going to school.
The minister will present Pakistan’s perspective vis-à-vis Afghanistan and work on building a consensus regarding the way forward with international and regional partners. Pakistan will continue to support all efforts to advance the shared objectives of a peaceful, stable, sovereign, prosperous and connected Afghanistan, a statement issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad said.
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Ms Khar will also hold bilateral talks with leaders of other participating countries on the sidelines of the huddle.
UN dilemma: Ahead of his arrival in Doha, Mr Guterres’ office said the meeting “is intended to achieve a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban” on women’s and girls’ rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking.
Despite not being invited to the talks, the head of the Taliban representative office in Doha, Sohail Shaheen, said he has met with members of the British and Chinese delegations. He said the UN meeting and “the importance of engagement” was among the topics raised.
