Afghanistan’s interim interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, has expressed gratitude to organisations and individuals who have shown goodwill toward Afghanistan, including Pakistan-based religious and political leaders.
Speaking at an event in Kabul on Sunday, Haqqani thanked all parties that expressed positive intentions toward Afghanistan. He specifically acknowledged the role of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl and its leadership.
His remarks followed comments by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who on December 23 criticised Islamabad for striking militant targets in Afghanistan and Iran and for deporting Afghan refugees. Fazlur Rehman had urged both countries to maintain friendly relations and warned that prolonged tension would harm regional stability.
Addressing a gathering in Pakistan last month, Fazlur Rehman said refugees who had lived in the country for decades should not face forced expulsion. He called on Islamabad and Kabul to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation. A declaration issued at the conference stressed that rising tensions would only benefit anti-Islamic forces.
افغانستان اور مہاجرین کے مسلےپر قائد جمعیت کا موقف#مجلس_اتحادامت_اجتماع pic.twitter.com/WLQv2mpYvA
— Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan (@juipakofficial) December 23, 2025Referring to the same event, Haqqani said Fazlur Rehman and Islamic scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani had expressed goodwill toward Afghanistan. He said Kabul deeply appreciated such gestures. Haqqani also welcomed positive statements made by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
“If goodwill, constructive engagement, and positive relations are established between countries, we welcome such efforts,” Haqqani said. He added that Afghanistan remains committed to peace, regional stability, and security.
ملتان جامعہ خیر المدارس:صدر وفاق المدارس العربیہ مفتی تقی عثمانی مدظلہ،قائد جمعیت مولانا فضل الرحمٰن مدظلہ،مولانا محمد حنیف جالندھری ودیگر اجتماع سے خطاب کر رہے ہیں۔ pic.twitter.com/WOeU4OsJS1
— Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan (@juipakofficial) December 28, 2025The interior minister stressed that the Afghan people harbour no ill intentions toward any country. He said Afghanistan has entered a phase of reconstruction and development and urged regional partners to support the process. Haqqani called on neighbouring states to abandon negative perceptions and cooperate with Kabul in rebuilding efforts.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi echoed similar views during a separate ceremony. He cited a recent gathering of Pakistani scholars, religious leaders, and political figures in Karachi, noting that they had offered constructive advice to the government.
Muttaqi said Afghanistan respects the role of religious scholars and expects them to continue promoting peace, reform, and regional harmony, as they have done throughout history.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained, largely due to concerns over cross-border militancy involving the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul’s rulers to take action to prevent attacks originating from Afghan territory.
Following border clashes on October 11, both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire on October 15 after initiating talks in Doha. The truce aimed to prevent further hostilities while dialogue continued.
Read: Asim Munir Warns Afghanistan to Choose Between Pakistan and Fitna al-Khawarij
A second round of talks began in Istanbul on October 25, but Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on October 29 that the discussions failed to produce a workable solution. Mediation by Turkiye and Qatar later helped revive the dialogue process.
Despite these efforts, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on November 7 that talks addressing cross-border terrorism had effectively ended, with negotiations entering an indefinite pause due to unresolved differences.
Following the breakdown in talks, the Afghan Taliban suspended trade ties with Pakistan. Islamabad had already closed border trade routes after the clashes, further deepening the diplomatic rift.
