Fazl-ur-Rehman warns Pakistan is ‘sinking,’ says Afghanistan is doing better

Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, has said that the situation in Afghanistan is better than in Pakistan and that Pakistan is facing a difficult path.

Speaking at a gathering, Fazl-ur-Rehman said Pakistan has become isolated in the region and is facing tensions with both India, its long-time rival, and Afghanistan. He stressed that the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan benefits neither country and should come to an end.

He called on both sides to avoid accusations and propaganda against each other, saying: “Stop the propaganda. One side says it is innocent, and the other says the same. One says it is fighting in self-defence, and the other makes the same claim. These things do not solve the problem.”

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader added that his party is ready to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan, but said an appropriate environment must first be created for such a process.

He also said Western countries are unhappy with the return of the Islamic Emirate to power in Afghanistan and that Pakistan should not shape its policies according to their demands.

Referring to Pakistan’s attacks on Afghanistan, Fazl-ur-Rehman said: “There are armed groups inside Pakistan, but you go and bomb Afghanistan. First deal with what is happening at home, then make decisions about outside.”

He added that the time for using “victimhood” to justify war has passed and urged Pakistani authorities to reconsider their policies.