BANNU: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam –Faz chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday urged the government to take the policy statement of US President Donald Trump on Afghanistan seriously and review its foreign policy accordingly.

He told reporters at the residence of federal minister Akram Khan Durrani here that President Trump’s new Afghan policy was an eye-opener for Pakistan and therefore, the government should frame its foreign policy in light of it.

“Trump’s statement is an open threat for Pakistan. The government should re-examine its foreign policy,” he said, adding that Americans didn’t intend to leave Afghanistan.

Mr Fazl said the new US policy on Afghanistan clearly showed that instead of ending it, Washington had planned to continue war in Afghanistan for an indefinite period.

He said Islamabad should not rely economically on Washington and instead look for new economic partners.

“We should strengthen our economic ties with China,” he said.

The JUI-F chief said Pakistan had long been in trouble due to the ill-conceived policy of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, especially in the wake of his decision to join the alliance against the so-called war on terrorism.

“Unfortunately, the successive government continued with Musharraf’s policies. Pakistan has been trapped in this war although it is neither a terrorist country nor does it support terrorism,” he said.

Mr Fazl expressed concern about the reported violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and said the situation was intolerable.

He said it was unfortunate that Pakistan and other Islamic countries had adopted silence on the ‘genocide’ of Muslims in Myanmar.

“Our party will pressurise the federal government in and outside parliament to raise voice for Rohingya Muslims. We will stage protest rallies on Friday to condemn violence against Rohingya,” he said.

The JUI-F chief also said his party’s workers would also protest Trump’s new policy on Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2017