Taliban Ambassador's Photo with Pakistani Artist at Iftar Banquet Sparks Hypocrisy Criticism

Pakistani artist Mishal Malik posted a photo on Sunday showing her with Sardar Ahmad Shakib, the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan. The image was taken at an iftar banquet hosted by the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad.

Malik captioned the photo: "During the iftar banquet held by the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan, we had the opportunity to discuss common areas of interest between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Iran."

Following the post, Taliban supporters on social media manipulated the image by replacing the two women in it with three men. A day later, Malik shared additional photos from the event, confirming her presence alongside the ambassador.

The photo drew sharp criticism from Afghan activists and journalists accusing the Taliban of hypocrisy on women's issues. Janzeb Visa, a journalist and human rights activist, stated: "In Pakistan, the Taliban ambassador can freely laugh and pose for photos with other women, while in Afghanistan, the same behavior is 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, wrote 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, commented: "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, said: "Pakistan bombs Afghanistan and kills Afghans, yet 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 Fadaei, former governor of Paktia, noted on X: "The presence of the Taliban ambassador alongside women during Ramadan is a good change. We hope the Taliban leadership will reopen Afghan girls' schools and return women to work and activity. The policy of 'everything forbidden here and everything permissible there' must be abandoned. The Taliban must end their dual behavior and guarantee the rights of Afghan women and girls."