ATLANTA (Pajhwok): A religious scholars’ delegation from Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has travelled to Kabul, media reports say.
Maulana Mohammad Tayyeb Quraishi, head of the Peshawar-based Quraishia Darul Ulum, led the delegation to Kabul, an independent radio station reported.
In remarks to Radio Mashaal, Maulana Quraishi said the team would stay in Afghanistan’s capital until August 17 for meetings with local authorities.
The delegation is comprised of eight religious scholars, including Mufti Mohammad Qasim, Maulana Qasim Haqqani and Maulvi Hanifullah.
The Pakistani scholars are visiting Kabul amid Islamabad’s criticism of the interim government of for not taking action against the Tehrik-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan claims the rebel group is using Afghanistan’s soil against it.
But Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has repeatedly said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan does not want bloodshed in Pakistan and would not allow the use of Afghan soil against the neighbour.
Quraishi said the delegation was trying to end the blame game between the two countries. “The aim of our trip is to normalise bilateral relations and trade.”
Although he said talks with TTP leaders were not on the delegation’s agenda, Quraishi did confirm they would discuss the issue of insecurity with Afghan officials.
“We will also discuss issues such as girls’ education, the rights of women and other topics. Insha Allah, some breakthroughs are expected in talks with the Afghan side.”
Pakistani religious scholars have made trips to Kabul in the past as well but this visit comes at a time when the IEA is celebrating the second anniversary of its takeover.
aw/mud
