Senator Pir Noorul Haq Qadri has rejected attempts to frame tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan as a religious war, saying that any such narrative is misleading and harmful, particularly when promoted through extremist rhetoric linked to the Taliban.
He stressed that both Pakistan and Afghanistan are Muslim countries, and therefore any conflict between them cannot be described as jihad or a sacred struggle.
The former federal minister warned that portraying regional tensions as a holy war risks fueling extremism and instability, adding that such narratives only deepen divisions and create unnecessary hostility between the two neighboring nations.
Qadri noted that Pakistan has consistently supported peace and stability in Afghanistan and has repeatedly called for dialogue and cooperation rather than confrontation.
He said religious and political leaders in the region have a shared responsibility to strengthen the historic, cultural, and religious bonds between the people of both countries. Instead of inflammatory rhetoric, he urged leaders to pursue diplomacy, reconciliation, and mutual respect.
According to the senator, Islam teaches peace, unity, and brotherhood among Muslims. “Turning political tensions into a religious confrontation is against the spirit of Islam,” he said, emphasizing that the true path forward for both nations lies in cooperation and peaceful engagement.
Qadri added that maintaining stability in the region requires responsible leadership and a clear rejection of extremist narratives that could undermine relations between the two countries.
