DID Press: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), has criticized Islamabad’s past policies, saying the Pakistani government facilitated the United States’ military campaign in Afghanistan by allowing American warplanes to use the country’s airspace during the conflict.
Speaking on Pakistan’s policy toward Afghanistan, Fazlur Rehman said the government at the time provided the conditions that enabled the U.S.-led military operation, with American aircraft flying through Pakistani airspace to carry out attacks inside Afghanistan.
The veteran Pakistani politician also criticized the government’s approach toward religious seminaries, warning that refusing to formally register madrasas could alienate students and potentially push some toward protests or even armed activities.
Fazlur Rehman argued that restrictive policies targeting religious schools would not resolve existing challenges but could instead fuel public dissatisfaction and contribute to rising tensions.