KABUL (SW) – Officials announce that Fazal-ur-Rehman, the president of the political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam in Pakistan, is set to lead a delegation on a visit to Kabul on Sunday. During the visit, he will meet and discuss with the authorities of the Islamic Emirate.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the de-facto government, issued a statement on his official account, however has not provided further details on this matter.
While Fazal-ur-Rehman stated in an interview with Radio Azadi on Saturday, that he plans to meet with the leader of the Islamic Emirate, Pakistani media, citing relatives of the political-religious figure, revealed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) issue is on the agenda for his trip to Afghanistan. However, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, neither confirmed nor denied these two matters to Salam Watandar.
Nevertheless, Zabihullah Mujahid comments on the visit of the Pakistani delegation to Kabul, saying that Fazal-ur-Rehman will engage in beneficial discussions with various authorities of the Islamic Emirate, covering a range of issues.
Mujahid adds: “They will meet with various officials and discuss various issues, and God willing, this visit will be useful for both countries and both nations.”
However, Bilal Fatemi, an expert on international relations, asserts that the visit of the Pakistani delegation is primarily driven by Pakistan’s political interests, indicating that it offers limited benefits to Afghanistan.
“Yesterday, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman was asked to come to the Foreign Ministry, and through this ministry, he was given the necessary explanations by Pakistan’s intelligence, and lines were drawn for him so that he would not cross the issues they want during his trip. Therefore, this trip of Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman is not devoid of the message of Pakistan’s government,” he said.
Pakistani media reports that Fazal-ur-Rehman is leading an 11-member delegation.
A delegation from the Islamic Emirate headed by Kandahar Governor, Mohammad Sher Akhund visited Pakistan last Wednesday. Sardar Ahmad Shakib, the head of the Afghan embassy in Islamabad, held a recent meeting with Fazal-ur-Rehman, conveying Kabul’s message and extending an invitation for him to visit Afghanistan.
These diplomatic visits and efforts to strengthen bilateral ties come amid the significant differences over security and immigration issues between the Islamic Emirates and Pakistan.
Wahed Faqiryar, another expert on international relations, highlights the existing differences in relations between the two governments, saying that the government of Pakistan is not inclined to address these differences based on its internal policy.
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