ISLAMABAD: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Pakistan Fazl (JUI-F) party, recently concluded a significant six-day visit to Kabul, Afghanistan, aimed at addressing the strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The JUI-F chief’s visit was particularly timely in light of the escalating militant attacks in Pakistan, which Islamabad has attributed to factions operating from Afghanistan.
During his visit, Maulana Fazl held crucial discussions with the Afghan Taliban’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, expressing optimism about the positive nature of their conversations. He emphasized that the visit has paved the way for de-escalation and urged both countries to move past grievances and enhance bilateral trade activities.
Pakistan also announced the deportation of large numbers of “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, in November, suspecting many of them to be jeopardizing the country’s security. The move further strained ties between the two countries.
“After the establishment of the Islamic Emirate (of Afghanistan), there was some tension between the two countries,” Rehman told Radio and Television Afghanistan on Saturday, a day before the JUI-F delegation departed for Islamabad.
“The main objective of my visit is to de-escalate tensions between the two countries and this visit has paved the road for this purpose.”
Fazl confirmed he met the Afghan Taliban’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, with whom he held a detailed discussion.
“The meeting with Mullah Haibatullah has been very positive,” he said, without elaborating on what was discussed between the two.
Fazl said the objectives of his visit to Kabul had been achieved, urging both countries to forget the bitter past and enhance bilateral trade activities.
Without taking any specific country’s name, Rehman said some states wanted to create rifts between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“After my visit, a new era of mutual trust will begin,” he hoped.
Fazl said Afghan refugees who had been forcibly repatriated from Pakistan had reservations about how they were expelled.
“I and my party have viewed Afghan refugees as guests of Pakistan and we as a nation respect them,” he said. “But since my party is not in the government, I have played a role in dealing with the refugees’ issue.”
Despite the positive outlook, it’s important to note that Pakistan’s foreign office distanced itself from Rehman’s visit, clarifying that he traveled as a private individual and not as a government emissary. However, there is hope that Rehman’s discussions in Kabul will yield tangible results and improve Pakistan-Afghanistan ties, particularly in political, diplomatic, and trade relations.
While some are optimistic about the potential positive changes in bilateral relations following the JUI-F chief’s visit, others remain skeptical.
Senior Afghan journalist Mansoor Nekmal expressed doubt that Fazl’s visit would fully resolve Pakistan’s main security concerns, particularly regarding banned militant outfits such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Nekmal highlighted the complexity of the TTP issue and emphasized the need for persistent efforts from both Kabul and Islamabad to address the ongoing tensions, frequent border closures, and trade and diplomatic issues.
Overall, the visit has set the stage for potential improvements in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, it remains to be seen how effectively the issues at hand, particularly regarding security concerns, will be addressed in the long term. Rehman’s visit has initiated a dialogue that could lead to positive developments in the region, but the resolution of complex issues will require sustained efforts from both countries.
