Pakistan, Dec. 14 -- Afghanistan's Taliban-led government has declined to attend a special regional meeting on Afghanistan in Iran, despite receiving a formal invitation from Tehran ahead of the planned diplomatic gathering. The decision signals Kabul's preference for existing engagement channels rather than newly created regional forums.

The meeting in Tehran is expected to include special representatives from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China and Russia, aiming to discuss regional coordination on Afghan-related issues. However, Afghan officials confirmed they will remain absent from the discussions despite being invited.

Deputy foreign ministry spokesperson Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal said Afghanistan already maintains a...