JUI-F chief praises army’s role in border security. PHOTO: EPA/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of his eponymous faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, has called for calm, restraint and immediate diplomatic engagement to avoid further escalation.
“Pakistan’s security concerns are legitimate,” the influential cleric said, referring to Islamabad’s demand that the Taliban regime in Kabul curb terrorist groups, including the TTP, Hafiz Gul Bahadur and the BLA, operating from Afghan soil.
However, he also stressed that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and internal challenges must also be respected. He warned that the emotional attitude of either party could further complicate relations.
The JUI-F chief urged both countries to adopt a responsible approach based on mutual interests, a reliable security framework and internationally recognized standards. “Diplomatic efforts can provide a sustainable solution, while unilateral military actions will only deepen the crisis,” he added.
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Maulana Fazl appealed to both governments for patience and restraint and called for an immediate ceasefire. He also expressed hope that supporters of both countries and nations seeking peace in the region would support peaceful diplomatic interventions.
Pakistani forces have attacked key military installations of the Afghan Taliban regime in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia through effective airstrikes, security sources confirmed in the early hours of Friday. At the same time, the international community has called for moderation and dialogue.
Pakistan has “effectively repulsed” Afghan Taliban insurgents at 53 locations along the border, inflicting heavy losses and exercising restraint to avoid harm to civilians, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said at a news conference on Friday.
“So far, 274 Taliban insurgents have been killed and more than 400 wounded,” he said. “Seventy-three posts along the border have been destroyed, while 18 posts are now in our possession.” He added that 115 tanks used by the insurgents were also destroyed during the fighting.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said the operation was ongoing and producing the desired results under government supervision. “The operation is continuing and we are achieving the desired results, personally supervised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” he added.
