Fazl-ur-Rehman: Pakistan has long played a role in destabilising Afghanistan

Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam , has criticised Islamabad’s policies, accusing the Pakistani government of facilitating US military operations in Afghanistan by allowing the use of its airspace during the presence of American forces. He claimed that Pakistan had never taken serious measures to prevent the movement of armed groups into Afghanistan and had consistently influenced developments in the country. Fazl-ur-Rehman said Afghanistan needed stability, independence and peace. However, he alleged that whenever the United States or Western countries sought to destabilise Afghanistan, Pakistan acted as a “proxy force” for them. He added that Islamabad had simultaneously portrayed itself as a country committed to fighting terrorism. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader also criticised the Pakistani government’s policy of registering religious seminaries, warning that the move could lead to increased tensions and protests across the country.