Fazlur Rehman Urges Islamabad to Rethink Policy Towards Afghanistan
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, stated in a parliamentary session that Afghanistan needs stability, and Islamabad should resolve its issues through dialogue and political understanding rather than pressure and military actions. He emphasized that if supporting reconciliation between the US and Iran is considered essential for regional peace, then creating peace and understanding with Afghanistan is equally important. According to him, the military approach towards Afghanistan has failed to reduce militant activities inside Pakistan, and therefore, a revision of this policy is necessary.
Fazlur Rehman added that Afghanistan desires stability, and Pakistan also needs a stable neighbor to its west. He warned that ongoing tensions not only fail to contribute to regional security but could further deepen mistrust.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader also recalled the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, noting that at that time Afghanistan assured Islamabad it would secure the western borders so that Pakistan could focus on the eastern front—highlighting the importance of mutual cooperation between the two countries.
These remarks come amid ongoing tensions over recent years between Pakistan and the Taliban administration, sometimes leading to border clashes and military attacks. Despite repeated calls for security cooperation, the lack of a clear and accountable framework remains a fundamental challenge in Kabul-Islamabad relations.
