KABUL: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), has called on the Pakistani government to review its policy toward Afghanistan, arguing that the same commitment to peace being applied in regional diplomacy should also guide relations with Kabul.
Speaking in Pakistan’s parliament, Fazlur Rehman said that if Pakistan is working to help resolve tensions between the United States and Iran and promote regional stability, it should adopt a similarly peaceful approach toward Afghanistan.
He urged the government to reconsider its policy of conducting airstrikes under the pretext of targeting militants in Afghanistan and instead pursue dialogue and mutual understanding between the two neighboring countries.
Fazlur Rehman emphasized that Afghanistan needs stability and that Pakistan also benefits from having a peaceful and stable neighbor.
Meanwhile, Asad Qaiser criticized trade restrictions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, warning that the continued closure of border routes could create serious economic and industrial challenges for Peshawar.