Rawalpindi: JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Slams Government on Afghanistan Policy – “Not Even One Pomegranate Comes, But Terrorists Are Crossing”

Rawalpindi, Pakistan – February 8, 2026 — Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman delivered a sharp critique of Pakistan’s foreign and Afghan policy during a youth convention organized by his party in Rawalpindi, accusing the government of failing to secure the border while allowing cross-border terrorism to continue unchecked.
Speaking to a large gathering of JUI-F youth wing members, the veteran religious and political leader remarked: “Not even one pomegranate can come from Afghanistan, but terrorists are still coming. If terrorists are coming, then kill them — who is stopping you?”
He expressed strong reservations over the state of bilateral ties with Afghanistan, questioning why normal trade (even basic items like fruit) remains severely restricted or impossible, yet security threats and militant crossings persist. “Pakistan has failed in its Afghan policy from Zahir Shah to the Islamic Emirate,” he added, arguing that the country has repeatedly failed to establish stable relations with its western neighbor over the past 78 years.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman also addressed the broader political landscape, stating that his party had opposed former Prime Minister Imran Khan due to his “approach and method,” but claimed the current rulers have gone “two steps ahead” in deviating from democratic norms. He warned: “We will also take two steps ahead in differing with you.”
The speech came amid ongoing security challenges along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, frequent militant attacks inside Pakistan (including recent incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad), and repeated accusations from Pakistani authorities that the Afghan Taliban government is failing to act against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries.
The JUI-F leader has historically maintained close ties with Afghan Taliban figures and has previously offered to mediate between Islamabad and Kabul to reduce border tensions. His latest remarks reflect growing frustration within political and religious circles over border management, trade restrictions, and the surge in terrorism despite military operations and diplomatic pressure.