ISLAMABAD: Senior journalist and analyst Aqeel Yousafzai has claimed that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman told Afghan Taliban Supreme Leader Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada during a phone conversation that Afghan Taliban and Afghan regime interests were more important to him than Pakistani interests.
Speaking on senior journalist Irfan Khan’s podcast, Yousafzai said the alleged remarks had drawn serious attention from relevant institutions. He claimed that the establishment had conveyed to Fazlur Rehman that Pakistan was fully capable of protecting its national interests.
Yousafzai said such remarks from a Pakistani politician and senior stakeholder were unacceptable. Referring to statements previously made on the record by Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, he said the military leadership had already made clear its position regarding Pakistan’s national security and the threat posed by terrorism.
The analyst further claimed that Fazlur Rehman had come under severe political criticism over his position on the issue and over what Yousafzai described as providing political justification to elements accused of killing thousands of Pakistanis since 2021.
Yousafzai also claimed that three former Amirs of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had previously served as office-bearers or workers of JUI-F.
He further alleged that terrorism in Pakistan and its alleged sponsorship was not limited to the Taliban or TTP, claiming that there was evidence of involvement by countries hostile to Pakistan, including India and Israel.
Yousafzai said that given the gravity of the situation, Pakistan’s establishment and security institutions would be justified in taking strong countermeasures if they deemed such action necessary.
The claims made by Yousafzai were presented during the podcast and were not independently verified in the information provided.
