Women for Afghanistan Organizes Meeting of Taliban Opponents in London
LONDON (Afghan Verified) -- The Women for Afghanistan institution has organized a two-day meeting in London on April 4-5 titled "Towards Unity and Trust," focusing on unity among Afghan political groups and civil society amid the crisis in Afghanistan.
According to a statement from the institution, the first day of the meeting centers on fostering mutual understanding and building trust among various political and civil groups to promote harmony and cooperation. The second day features joint sessions with international partners, foreign diplomats, members of Britain's House of Lords and House of Commons, as well as UK-based civil society organizations and think tanks engaged on Afghanistan.
Around 40 representatives from political parties, civil society, media institutions and prominent figures opposed to the Taliban are attending, the institution said.
Afghanistan International described the event as the second round of the Islamabad Conference, following a first round hosted in Miuzan 1404 (February-March 2025) by the South Asia Strategic Stability Institute and Women for Afghanistan. That gathering included at least 30 Afghan political figures, civil society activists and former government officials, as well as 40 former senior Pakistani officials. Participants in the Islamabad meeting, including Fozia Kofi, Mustafa Mostur, Nasir Ahmad Andisha and others, issued a statement emphasizing the linked peace and stability of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The first round faced postponements and drew harsh criticism from the Taliban. Sources cited by Afghanistan International noted increased contacts between Pakistan's political community and non-Pashtun Afghan figures amid Pakistan's conflicts with the Taliban.
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Where reports agree
- Women for Afghanistan organizing a two-day meeting in London on 4-5 Hamal.
- Agenda: Day 1 on mutual understanding/trust among political groups; Day 2 with international partners and UK parliamentarians.
- Involves Taliban opponents and civil society figures.
Where reports differ
- Naming: 'Second Round of Islamabad Conference' (Source 1) vs. 'Towards Unity and Trust' (Source 2).
- Participant numbers: ~40 total (Source 2) vs. detailed first-round numbers (Source 1).
- Status: 'to be held' (Source 1) vs. 'was held/will continue' (Source 2).
- Background on first Islamabad round and Pakistani links only in Source 1.
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