QUETTA, Jan 1: The provincial chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazal), Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani, has called for talks to end the conflict in Afghanistan. He said ‘jihad’ without a positive outcome would benefit the ‘occupation forces’.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, Maulana Sherani said Islam did not allow imposing one’s belief through use of force. Conflicts in any country always invited foreign intervention and a divided nation could never defeat invading forces, he said. He urged various Afghan groups to hold talks to resolve their disputes.

The JUI leader said a war could not be won merely by announcing a jihad.

He said when the former USSR invaded Afghanistan, the United States helped the mujahideen to fight the invaders, but there was no superpower now to help Afghans against the US forces.

About the situation in Pakistan, the Maulana said the country needed to strengthen democracy to protect its integrity. He urged the political leadership to adopt a realistic approach to settle domestic differences. He also said that enforcement of Islamic laws could steer the nation out of the present crisis.