Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe OIC representative discussed constructive dialogue with Afghanistan’s interim authorities.
The Special Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Afghanistan, in a meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, emphasized continued cooperation between both sides for the stability and progress of Afghanistan.
In separate meetings with other officials from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the OIC representative discussed constructive dialogue with Afghanistan’s interim authorities on issues such as girls’ education, counterterrorism, and humanitarian matters.
The OIC statement reads, “Efforts by the OIC and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to pursue constructive dialogue with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities on various issues, including girls’ education, counterterrorism, and humanitarian aspects, were discussed.”
Aziz Maarij, a former diplomat, believes that “if the OIC aims to resolve Afghanistan’s issues, it should engage directly with Afghanistan’s officials and people, and avoid reliance on Pakistan, which has a history of negative interference in Afghan affairs.”
Meanwhile, some women’s rights activists believe the OIC could engage Afghan officials in meaningful dialogue on women’s and girls’ rights in accordance with Islamic principles and the conditions of Islamic countries.
Women’s rights activist Lamia Shirzai stated, “The OIC can play a role in advancing the rights of Afghan women and girls, but over the past three years, we have seen that this organization has not taken effective action for girls’ education and women’s rights in Afghanistan.”
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has not yet responded to this matter, though it has consistently maintained that girls’ education is a domestic issue and other countries should not interfere.