ISLAMABAD: The leader of a prominent Pakistani religious political party, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, met Afghanistan’s Prime Minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund on Monday to discuss bilateral issues such including the repatriation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, regional security and other matters, a statement from the party said. 

Rehman arrived in Pakistan on Sunday evening with a delegation to hold talks with the Afghan leadership. His visit comes at a time when ties between the two countries are strained due to rising militant attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces bordering Afghanistan and Islamabad’s move to deport thousands of “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, which it says are behind a surge in suicide attacks in the country. 

On Sunday, Rehman met Afghanistan’s deputy prime minister, Maulana Abdul Kabeer, in Kabul to discuss the regional situation and its impact on bilateral relations between the two countries. 

“The purpose of our Afghanistan visit is to remove the misunderstandings between the two countries,” Rehman was quoted as saying by his party, the Jamiat Ulama-e-Pakistan Fazl (JUI-F), in a statement. “To find ways to cooperate in political, economic, trade and matters of mutual interest between the two nations.”

Rehman regretted Pakistan’s move to deport Afghan migrants from the country, noting that his party had protested against the government’s decision to do so. 

“We consider this behavior wrong and declare it as the reason for problems between the two countries,” Rehman said. “We have brought a message of goodwill and hope this visit brings forth positive results.”

According to the JUI-F’s statement, Akhund said Pakistan and Afghanistan had a lot in common with each other due to which it was not possible to separate the two countries. 

“The Islamic Emirate does not intend to harm or create problems for any neighboring country, including Afghanistan,” Akhund was quoted as saying by the JUI-F. 

The statement said Akhund urged Pakistan not to stop their “cruel behavior” toward Afghan refugees, adding that such behavior causes differences and disappointment instead of solving problems. 

“Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi discussed, apart from the problems faced by Afghan refugees, the difficulties of the Afghan traders and the problems caused by Pakistani authorities in the transit trade route and exports which causes every year a heavy loss to Afghan traders,” the statement said. 

Fazl’s delegation included JUI-F leaders Maulana Abdul Wasay, Maulana Salahuddin, Maulana Jamaluddin, Maulana Saleemuddin Shamzai and others. Akhund’s delegation comprised Afghanistan’s Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and other senior members of the government. 

Rehman enjoys close relations with the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan, as his party is known for its staunch advocacy of Islamic laws and values. The party wields considerable influence in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces both which border Afghanistan.