Photo of Taliban Ambassador with Pakistani Artist at Iftar Banquet Draws Online Criticism

A Pakistani artist, Mishal Malik, shared a photo on social media showing her alongside Sardar Ahmad Shakib, the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, taken during an Iftar banquet hosted by the Iranian embassy in Islamabad on Sunday.

Malik captioned the image, noting an opportunity to discuss common areas of interest between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kashmir and Iran.

Following the post, some Taliban supporters shared a manipulated version of the photo online, replacing the two women in the original image with three men. Malik later published additional photos from the event, confirming her presence along with the ambassador and other attendees.

The image prompted widespread reactions on social media, with Taliban critics accusing officials of hypocrisy regarding restrictions on Afghan women. Janzeb Wisa, a journalist and human rights activist, said: "In Pakistan, the Taliban ambassador can freely laugh and pose for photos with other women, while in Afghanistan the same behavior is considered a crime for Afghan women. They are deprived of education, basic freedoms, and peaceful protest, and the Taliban have banned the publication of women's images in the media."

Lina Rozbeh, an Afghan journalist, commented to Malik: "Instead of talking about Kashmir, you should have thrown a plate of food at him and asked why the Taliban deprive Afghan girls and women of education, while he looks at your face and poses for a photo."

Kahkashan Kofi, a women's rights activist, wrote to the Taliban: "They laugh and take souvenir photos with foreign women, but deprive the daughters of their own land from school and university."

Majid Qarar, a political activist, stated: "Pakistan bombs Afghanistan and kills Afghans, but at the same time the Taliban ambassador in Islamabad holds celebrations and parties with Pakistani artists and actors in a calm and pleasant atmosphere."

Halim Fada'i, former governor of Paktia, noted on X: "The presence of the Taliban ambassador alongside women in the month of Ramadan is a good change. We hope the Taliban leadership reopens Afghan girls' schools and returns women to work and activity. The policy of 'everything forbidden here and everything permissible there' must be set aside. The Taliban must end their dual behavior and guarantee the rights of Afghan women and girls."