Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of a prominent Pakistani religious party, said he is scheduled to arrive in Kabul today, Sunday, to hold talks with the Afghan leadership about militancy and the possibility of “reconciliation” between the two countries.
Ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in August 2021. A surge in suicide blasts and militant attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces bordering Afghanistan have frustrated Islamabad, which has asked Kabul to rein in the Pakistani Taliban it says are using Afghan soil to launch attacks on Pakistan. The Taliban reject Pakistan’s accusations.
Relations between both countries soured further in November when Pakistan deported thousands of Afghan migrants, saying it was taking action against “illegal immigrants” in the country, and blamed Afghan nationals for the surge in suicide attacks in Pakistan. Afghanistan condemned the move and asked Pakistan not to deport Afghan refugees.
Rehman’s political party, the Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (JUI) is known for its staunch advocacy of Islamic laws and values. While not known for securing significant numbers of national and provincial seats in elections, it has wielded considerable influence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Rehman enjoys close ties with the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan.
“It has been confirmed that Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulama-e- Islam party, along with a delegation will arrive in Kabul today,” Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on social media platform X.
“There is a possibility that this (TTP) issue will come in for discussion,” Rehman told reporters on Saturday evening. “We will use our relations for the well-being of both countries. And I have plans to meet him (Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Taliban).”
Rehman said he had wanted to visit Kabul because of the success achieved by the Taliban in their war against the US-led coalition forces after 20 years. He said it was binding on him to visit the country and congratulate the Taliban on their victory.
