Fazl flays Afghan policy

Frontier Post

FROM BADAR FAROOQ MUGHAL, 21 January, 1998

DERA ISMAIL KHAN Pakistan is playing its worst ever diplomatic game in the region, its foreign policy on Afghanistan is unclear and the government has deceived Taliban by inviting Burhanuddin for dialogue. This was stated by JUI (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman while talking to newsmen here Tuesday. He said though Pakistan has recognized Taliban government, its contacts with Rabbani here made its stand on Afghan crisis doubtful, he said as Rabbani was running the parallel Afghan government and the invitation by the Pakistan government to him has created doubts in Taliban ranks that Pakistan was following the American directive to divide Afghanistan . He feared that the rulers wrong foreign policy had shattered the confidence of Taliban in Pakistan which would be harmful to its interests in Afghanistan. Maulana Fazlur Rehman Said the delay in restoration peace in Afghanistan goes in favour of Iran as it had made it Railway link with Afghanistan through Mashad. The establishment of trade link Between Iran and Central Asian states through Afghanistan would shatter Pakistan's dream of having trade with Central Asian republics.He said that Iran would enjoy trade with Central Asia with India would have supremacy in South Asia and there would be no place for Pakistan expect to jump into the Arabian Sea. The Maulana said in the geopolitical scenario of South Asia America was blackmailing Pakistan and India was blackmailing America.The Maulana said that Taliban were not a democratic but a revolutionary force.He said Taliban are in a reformation stage and it will a take time to establish new institution to run the government as the state business can not be run by the old institutions. He further stated that is was necessary to resolve the Afghan crisis and to end the resistance against Taliban for peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.