In a significant development on Friday, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman issued a stern warning to the Afghan Taliban, emphasizing that India could never be considered a reliable ally by the group. Speaking amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Naeem urged the Taliban leadership to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further deteriorate relations between the two neighboring Islamic countries.
Expressing grave concern over the worsening situation, Naeem highlighted the dangers of the conflict spiraling into an open confrontation, which would have devastating consequences for the people on both sides of the border. He underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region, particularly given the shared religious and cultural ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Adding a broader geopolitical perspective, the JI chief pointed to the emerging strategic partnership between Israel and India as a serious threat to the Muslim world. He cautioned that this alliance could undermine Islamic unity and called on the Afghan Taliban not to take any steps that might isolate them from the wider Muslim community or inadvertently support forces that oppose Islamic interests globally.
In his statement, Naeem also appealed to the Pakistani government to take immediate and comprehensive measures to address the crisis. He urged the convening of a joint session of Parliament to engage all political stakeholders in a dialogue aimed at de-escalating tensions. Furthermore, he called upon senior Islamic scholars to play a mediating role, recalling their past interventions that helped ease conflicts between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Recognizing the importance of international diplomacy, Naeem encouraged countries such as China, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to intensify their efforts in facilitating a peaceful resolution. He stressed that these nations have a critical role to play in normalizing relations and preventing further hostilities at this sensitive juncture.
Highlighting the broader regional implications, Naeem warned that the recently signed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense agreement has drawn ire from Israel, which he described as part of a larger agenda aimed at sowing discord within the Muslim world. He urged vigilance against such attempts to weaken Islamic solidarity.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains tense as Pakistan launched retaliatory airstrikes targeting Taliban-linked positions inside Afghanistan. Pakistani officials reported that the operation, named ‘Ghazab Lil Haq,’ resulted in the deaths of 133 Afghan Taliban members and injuries to over 200 others. These strikes were carried out in response to unprovoked cross-border firing by the Taliban along several locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar confirmed that the airstrikes focused on Taliban defensive positions in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar. He indicated that the operation was ongoing and that further casualties might occur as Pakistani forces continue their offensive. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described the military response as a firm and necessary measure to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, making it clear that such aggression would not be tolerated.
Officials emphasized that the primary objective of the operation was to neutralize hostile elements and send a strong deterrent message to prevent any further escalation along the porous border. The unfolding events underscore the fragile security dynamics in the region and the urgent need for diplomatic engagement to avoid a full-scale conflict.
