JUI-F chief says Islamabad and Kabul can jointly serve as a bridge connecting South, Central, East Asia and Middle East
ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called for a new era of stronger Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, saying the two neighbouring countries should work together to build a peaceful and prosperous future based on their historic, religious and cultural bonds.
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad marking the fifth anniversary of Afghanistan’s Victory Day, organized by the Embassy of Afghanistan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman welcomed Afghan Ambassador Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb’s emphasis on improving relations with Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.
He said he fully endorsed the Afghan envoy’s message of goodwill and wanted to reciprocate it “with double goodwill” on behalf of Pakistan and its people.
“Our historical, religious and cultural ties demand that we determine our future as two strong and peaceful neighbours and seek solid foundations for a new future,” he said.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed confidence that “Pakistan will be the support of Afghanistan and Afghanistan will be the support of Pakistan.”
Quoting Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s famous verses on Afghanistan, he highlighted the country’s strategic geographical importance to Asia and said Pakistan, following its establishment, had also acquired a pivotal position connecting different regions.
He said Pakistan and Afghanistan could jointly serve as a geographical bridge linking the Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia and South Asia, creating opportunities for greater regional connectivity and cooperation.
The JUI-F chief stressed that both Afghanistan and Pakistan needed to recognize the strategic importance of their geography and, on that basis, develop a shared vision for the future.
“We have to determine a common future, a future of unity, and I believe this could become a guiding step for the entire Muslim world and help bring the Islamic world together as one,” he said.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman reiterated his long-standing position that Muslims constitute a single Ummah and advocated greater unity among Muslim countries.
He said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Iran could take the lead in advancing greater cooperation among Islamic countries, with other Muslim nations joining the process over time. “We have always desired and held the view that the Muslim Ummah is one,” he said, advocating efforts toward the establishment of an Islamic bloc.
He argued that the changing global environment required Muslim countries to reduce, and ultimately end, excessive dependence on external powers by pooling their collective strength and relying on their own capabilities. “We should bring our strength together, rely on our own existence and turn toward Allah Almighty to become one Ummah,” he said.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the Islamabad gathering represented an important opportunity for Pakistan and Afghanistan to convey a message of fraternity and cooperation.
He said the two sides could overcome existing challenges through dialogue, mutual understanding and sustained communication, echoing the Afghan ambassador’s emphasis on peaceful engagement. “We can resolve these difficulties with great wisdom through dialogue, understanding, discussion and communication,” he said.
He maintained that there was no fundamental disagreement between the two sides over the desire to resolve their difficulties, as both Pakistan and Afghanistan wanted to overcome existing obstacles and strengthen their relationship.
The JUI-F chief said the two countries should aspire to present themselves to the world not merely as neighbouring states but as brotherly Islamic countries standing together as one.
He concluded by expressing his hope that Pakistan and Afghanistan would translate their shared aspirations into practical cooperation and jointly determine their future. “I believe Allah is witness that we desire Pakistan and Afghanistan to become one in spirit, and, God willing, we will determine our future together,” he said.
