ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday distanced itself from Jamiat Ulama-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s visit to Afghanistan that focused on the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) issue, a key point of contention in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch clarified that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s visit to Afghanistan is in his personal capacity, not as a representative of the Pakistani government. This is the second time the FO has distanced itself from the visit, despite the Pakistani chargé d’affaires accompanying Fazlur Rehman and being briefed on Afghan ties before the trip. Fazlur Rehman received an official invitation from the Taliban administration to discuss issues affecting bilateral relations, particularly with the TTP.
FO spokesperson rubbishes claims in ex-Indian envoy’s book as attempt to advance India’s ‘fictitious narratives’
Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s visit to Afghanistan, amid an election campaign, included meetings with key Taliban leaders, such as the Prime Minister of the interim Afghan government and Haibatullah Akhunzada. Despite a warm welcome, some Taliban leaders were skeptical, perceiving personal motives. Fazlur Rehman reportedly assured the Taliban of a review on negotiations with the TTP by the incoming government post-Feb 8 polls, seeking their help to prevent TTP attacks during elections. The FO reaffirmed Pakistan’s unchanged stance, emphasizing no interest in TTP dialogue and maintaining demands for Afghan action against terrorist elements. The spokesperson criticized the book by former Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, dismissing it as an attempt to promote fictitious Indian narratives, especially regarding events in February 2019. The book reveals a midnight call attempt by PM Imran Khan to PM Narendra Modi to avert escalation post-Balakot, amid rising jingoistic rhetoric in India ahead of Lok Sabha elections.