Maulana Fazlur Rehman Calls for "Ceasefire of Words" between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), has urged both Pakistan and Afghanistan to refrain from mutual provocation and instead engage in constructive dialogue to resolve their outstanding issues. According to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the Afghan leadership is eager to settle matters amicably and he is willing to assume a similar role as he did in the past to de-escalate tensions between the two neighboring countries.

Key Takeaways:

• Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called for a "ceasefire of words" between Pakistan and Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.
• He revealed that he has made contact with Afghan leaders who are willing to settle matters amicably and is willing to assume a similar role as he did in the past to de-escalate tensions.
• The JUI-F chief advised both nations to refrain from provocation on social media and other platforms, emphasizing a focus on easing tensions.
• He recommended introspection instead of an overreaction to recent controversy over Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's remarks on Kashmir.
• Maulana Fazlur Rehman questioned Pakistan's commitment to resolving the Kashmir dispute according to UN resolutions and asked what tangible progress had been achieved.
• He cautioned policymakers against the military strategy of potentially opening a western front against Afghanistan at this juncture.
• On domestic matters, the Maulana defended the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan's (TLP) right to protest as a democratic entitlement and condemned any use of force against demonstrators.
• He stated that the election of the Chief Minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is sub judice and that the court should deliver a verdict strictly in line with the Constitution and legal principles.

Statistics:

• Maulana Fazlur Rehman has made contact with Afghan leaders who are willing to settle matters amicably.
• The JUI-F chief has a history of reducing hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the past.
• Pakistan has not achieved tangible progress in resolving the Kashmir dispute according to UN resolutions.
• Afghanistan's intelligence and military structures are in their nascent stages compared to Pakistan's established defence capacity.
• The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has the right to protest as a democratic entitlement.

Sources:

• Maulana Fazlur Rehman's speech at the Convention Centre in Islamabad, no date provided.