If India attacked a terrorist camp in Muridke, Pakistan, what mistake did it make? – Maulana Fazlur Rehman

Pakistani Moulana questions Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir!

(Maulana means a scholar of Islam)

Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Asim Munir

Karachi (Pakistan): Pakistan’s prominent political leader and President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, directly questioned Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, at the Liyari area of Karachi, made famous to Indians by the film Dhurandhar, sending shockwaves through the country’s political circles. He raised the question, “If Pakistan can attack terrorist camps in Afghanistan, why is Pakistan taking objection when India conducted strikes on terrorist camps in Muridke and Bahawalpur in Pakistan?  On December 21, Maulana Fazlur Rahman was speaking as the chief speaker at the Tahaffuz Diniya Madaris conference. At this conference, he spoke in detail on various issues related to domestic as well as foreign policy.

How Will the Taliban Tolerate Attacks on Kabul?

Criticizing Asim Munir’s Afghanistan-related policy atrongly, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Pakistan wants an Afghanistan that is aligned with Islamabad. However, from Zahir Shah to Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan’s rulers have remained pro-India rather than pro-Pakistan. This pattern has been consistent. Bombing Kabul is no different from attacking Islamabad itself. Under such circumstances, how can the Taliban tolerate attacks on Kabul?

It is because of the army alone that there is a deterioration of relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He also demanded that the government, which came to power by manipulating public mandate, should step down and fresh elections should be held in the country. Pakistan had earlier carried out airstrikes on Kabul in an attempt to eliminate terrorists.

Why Object to India’s Action?

Referring to India’s strikes on terrorist camps in Muridke and Bahawalpur during ‘Operation Sindoor’, Maulana Fazlur Rehman questioned the Pakistani military. He asked that if Pakistan considers it is justified in attacking enemy bases, then why does it object when India carries out strikes on centers from where attacks against India are launched? He further asked what would be  Pakistan’s answer when similar allegations are made against it regarding Afghanistan. If Pakistan were to attack Iran and Iran responded with retaliation, what would have happened then? Why does the military adopt a different stance toward Iran and Afghanistan? He argued that such behavior is possible only because Afghanistan’s government is weak.

Need to Review Long-Term Policy

Maulana Fazlur Rehman emphasized that Afghanistan should not be viewed merely through the lens of current circumstances. Instead, Pakistan’s 78-year Afghanistan policy must be reviewed. Pakistan has never truly had a friendly government in Afghanistan. Should this be considered as a failure of Pakistan’s policy? he asked, adding that this issue requires serious discussion.

Editorial Perspective

It is a positive development that politicians in Pakistan have begun speaking out against the dictatorship of the Pakistani Army. Nevertheless, it is equally true that they may have to face the consequences of this.