Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, has publicly criticized the Pakistani government’s tendency to attribute its security failures to Afghanistan. He emphasized that the responsibility for security lies within Pakistan, stating, “In this entire situation, it is not in our interest to place our responsibilities on others. We must focus on our own responsibilities”
Previous Diplomatic Efforts
Kabul 24: During his visit to Afghanistan last year, Fazl-ur-Rehman engaged in discussions with Afghan officials regarding border security, trade, and the refugee situation. Despite these efforts, sources indicate that his visit did not yield significant commitments from the Afghan government to address the issue of cross-border terrorism, particularly concerning the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) .
Political Influence and Future Relations
Political analyst Moeen Gul Samkanai noted Fazl-ur-Rehman’s influential role in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, suggesting he could facilitate better relations between the two nations. However, skepticism remains regarding the effectiveness of his diplomatic initiatives, especially given the ongoing tensions and lack of concrete assurances from Afghan authorities .
Response from the Islamic Emirate
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has not yet responded to Fazl-ur-Rehman’s remarks, which could indicate a reluctance to engage in discussions about the security dynamics between the two countries .