PESHAWAR: Jamaat-i-Islami emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Friday advocated for dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan, saying only meaningful dialogue can help improve their strained relations.

He, however, said that the Afghan interim government should ensure that its territory is not used for militant attacks against Pakistan.

“Both sides should always keep the door for talks open,” Mr Rehman told a news conference at Markaz-i-Islami.

The JI chief said that relations between the two countries turned sour because of the steps taken by a few rulers and not Pakistani people, who supported each other for almost 45 years.

Says Afghanistan shouldn’t allow use of its territory for militant attacks across the border

He said the unpleasant situation between the two countries was a sensitive issue and meaningful talks could help find a way out.

Mr Rehman said that only meaningful dialogue could address the issues between the two countries.

When asked about Rs20 billion allocations for the proposed military operation Azm-i-Istihkam against militants, he said his party had a clear position on the matter.

The JI chief said that military operation was not a solution to the issue of militancy.

He said that the government should spend money on “fruitful things.”

“You cannot maintain peace through military operations,” he said.

Mr Rehman, however, said since it was the government’s job to maintain law and order, it should spend money and highlight where it was utilised.

He claimed that activities against militants were under way in the tribal region amid reports about the use of fighter jets.

The JI emir said that the country couldn’t afford “further distance” between people and armed forces.

He wondered how militants became stronger and stronger and sought the identity of the supporters of militants in the government and national institutions.

Mr Rehman said that the government and military had made it clear that the Operation Azm-i-Istihkam was meant for controlling law and order.

He said that if the situation in Bannu could improve after talks among the military, government, opposition and locals, then all issues could be addressed through dialogue.

The JI emir complained about the recent attack on police and wondered how attackers got heavy weaponry. He said that the attack exposed the inefficiency of the law-enforcement agencies.

He said it was time to review the failure of the institutions to perform their respective duties.

Mr Rehman said that the Punjab government provided relief in electricity bills to people for two months from the exchequer, so the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should follow suit.

He announced that his party would observe a shutter down strike on August 28 with the support of traders.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2024