Afghan envoy urges JUI-S chief to influence Taliban to join peace process

NOWSHERA: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) head Maulana Samiul Haq and Afghan Ambassador Dr Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal discussed the prevalent situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan in a meeting held on Tuesday.

The ambassador met Maulana Samiul Haq at his residence in the Akora Khattak town of Nowshera district.Maulana Samiul Haq said they discussed issues including the hostility between the two countries with special focus on restoring peace in the war-torn country.

Talking to The News, Ambassador Dr Omar Zakhilwal said that he had come to Akora Khattak to ask the Maulana to use his influence over the Afghan Taliban and play his role in bringing peace to Afghanistan.

He said the Taliban and the Afghan government had great respect for Maulana Samiul Haq. He said the Afghan government was confident that the Maulana could bring the Taliban and Afghanistan government to the negotiating table. Maulana Samiul Haq said he emphasized during their meeting the need for withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan. He said the presence of the ‘occupying forces’ in Afghanistan was an impediment to reconciliation and dialogue. He said peace in Afghanistan was must for peace in Pakistan and in the region as well.

The Maulana said Pakistan was a victim of terrorism and terrorists were still carrying out acts of sabotage in the country. He argued that the Western countries and anti-Muslim forces were trying to prolong this situation of uncertainty because it suited them.

Maulana Samiul Haq said that restoration of lasting peace was the joint responsibility of Pakistan and Afghanistan as one country cannot handle the situation on its own. He felt the enemy was benefiting from the bloodshed and hostility between the two brotherly neighbouring countries. He said the warring parties should hold negotiations to resolve the issue through dialogue.

Arguing that Pakistan should play an active role in solving the Afghan conflict, he urged the government to review its policies and mend relationship with neighbours, particularly Afghanistan.

“Pakistan would lose influence in regional politics if it did not reconsider its policies. We should think in which direction we are taking our country,” he argued.He also advised Afghanistan not to blame Pakistan for all the wrong things happening in that country and put its own house in order instead.