KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, has met with the Taliban’s ambassador to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakib, prompting renewed scrutiny over international engagement with the Taliban as restrictions on women and girls continue.
In a post on X, Lindsay said the meeting addressed regional security issues and the impact of Taliban policies on women and girls in Afghanistan. He did not provide further details about the substance of the discussions.
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, barring them from secondary and higher education, limiting their access to employment, and severely curtailing their participation in public life. Despite repeated appeals from the international community, including Western governments and UN officials, the Taliban have shown no sign of reversing these measures.
Reacting to the meeting, former Afghan lawmaker and women’s rights advocate Fawzia Koofi sharply criticized the diplomatic approach. In a statement posted on X, she questioned the priorities of international actors engaging with the Taliban.
“Why is the diplomatic community comfortable showcasing ceremonies with the Taliban, yet hesitates before tweeting support for women and girls in Afghanistan or engaging non-Taliban voices? This is not neutrality. It is a boundary shaped by power and political convenience.”
