Taliban calls the Doha conference boycott a “blunder”
According to diplomatic sources acquainted with the development, the Afghan Taliban government’s decision to boycott the most recent UN conference held in Doha was a “big blunder” and would further isolate it internationally.
Special envoys from more than two dozen nations, including Pakistan, attended a two-day conference organized by the UN on February 18 and 19 in the capital of Qatar to explore the future course of relations with the Taliban regime.
Some adversaries of the Afghan Taliban were also there, as were Afghan activists advocating for women’s rights. After the UN failed to fulfill its demands, the de facto authorities in Afghanistan turned down the invitation.
The Taliban demanded exclusive high-level contacts with the UN, control over invitations to other Afghan delegates, and recognition as the exclusive representatives of Afghanistan.
According to diplomatic sources, the Taliban made a grave error in their choice on Thursday, missing a great chance to break their isolation. A diplomatic source stated, “This may not bode well for the Taliban government.”
The purpose of the second UN meeting in less than a year was to talk on suggestions made by the UN special coordinator. The UN coordinator suggested keeping up contact with the Taliban, but acknowledged that this could only happen if certain issues were resolved.
The establishment of a UN special envoy to Afghanistan was one of the proposals. The Taliban fiercely objected to this, claiming that such envoys were only sent in times of internal strife or war.
The designation of a UN special envoy was not decided upon at the end of the two-day meeting. The UN Secretary-General declared that he will bring this issue up for discussion with all pertinent parties.
Pakistan was in favor of the UN special envoy idea, which the Taliban administration found objectionable.
Though the Taliban voiced concerns about their presence, the Pakistani group, headed by special envoy Ambassador Asif Durrani, met with Afghan human rights and women’s rights advocates in Doha.
This action suggests that Pakistan is no longer abiding by the orders of the Taliban regime. Pakistan is not happy with the Taliban’s reluctance to move against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is prohibited. This is the reason for the shift.
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