An alleged phone call reportedly intercepted by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has sparked questions over Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s position toward the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan.
According to the claim, Fazlur Rehman told Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada that he values the interests of the Afghan Taliban more than Pakistan’s interests. If authentic, the reported conversation could fuel debate over whether his political position is more closely aligned with the Afghan Taliban than with Pakistan’s state interests.
The allegation has emerged amid continued tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly over security concerns and cross-border militant activity. Relations between Islamabad and the Taliban authorities have faced increasing strain as Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns about militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
Fazlur Rehman has historically maintained political and religious ties with Afghanistan and has engaged with Taliban leadership. His position on Afghanistan has at times differed from the Pakistani government’s approach, making the latest allegation potentially significant in the broader debate over Islamabad’s relations with Kabul.
However, the reported phone call and its contents have not been independently verified. No authenticated recording or official confirmation has been presented publicly to establish the exact wording or context of the alleged conversation.
The claim, therefore, should be treated as an allegation rather than an established fact. If independently verified, it could have significant political implications for Fazlur Rehman’s relationship with Pakistan’s state institutions and his stance toward the Afghan Taliban.