Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), recently met with Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhunzada to discuss various issues. Fazl has become the second prominent figure to meet with Akhunzada, following the Qatari prime minister’s meeting with him in Kandahar last year.
This meeting took place during Fazl’s recent trip to Afghanistan, where he met with key Taliban leaders, including the Afghan prime minister. The purpose of the visit was to address issues that have been straining relations between the two countries.
Fazl confirmed his meeting with Akhunzada in an interview with Afghan National Radio and Television, stating that they discussed all issues between the two countries and exchanged suggestions for cooperation in all fields.
In addition to Akhunzada, Fazl also held meetings with Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar, Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, and Refugee Minister Khalil ur Rehman Haqqani.
During these meetings, Haqqani and Yaqoob expressed their desire for cordial relations with Pakistan and hoped that Fazl’s visit would help reduce tensions between the two countries.
The meetings between Fazl and Afghan leaders come at a time when relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained due to a rise in terrorist attacks and the deportation of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan. These issues have further complicated the already complex relationship between the two neighboring countries.