Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman Criticizes Pakistan’s Policy Towards Afghanistan

Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, in an interview with a Pakistani media outlet, once again criticized Pakistan’s approach towards Afghanistan.

According to the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, Pakistan had provided its airspace and airfields to the United States during the 20-year war in Afghanistan, which were used against Afghanistan.

Referring to his trip to Afghanistan last year, the leader of the party stated that during this visit, he had reached agreements with Afghanistan’s interim government on various issues, but these advancements were ignored by the Pakistani government.

Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman said: “During the 20 years of the US-Taliban war, Pakistan supported the US. It provided airfields, airspace, and other facilities, which the U.S. used to carry out airstrikes on Afghan Taliban.”

He further mentioned in this interview that during his visit to Afghanistan, significant progress was made on issues concerning borders, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), trade, and Afghan refugees in Pakistan, in discussions with the Afghan interim government.

About his visit to Afghanistan, he added: “All issues, including the TTP, borders, trade, and Afghan refugees in Pakistan, were discussed with officials of the Islamic Emirate, and agreements were reached. However, certain elements within the Pakistani government were not interested in improving relations with Afghanistan’s interim government.”

This is not the first time the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party has criticized Islamabad’s approach towards Kabul. He had previously rejected Pakistani officials’ claims about the entry of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

Fazl Rahman Orya, a political analyst, commented on the position of the JUI-P leader, saying: “Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has no specific role in Pakistan’s policies and politics. These statements by him are purely tactical.”

During his visit to Kabul on January 8, 2023, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman held discussions with Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Prime Minister, and Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Deputy Prime Minister, regarding the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, reducing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, and the issue of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).