Pakistani religious and political leader Fazlur Rehman has said Islamabad’s long-standing interventionist approach toward Afghanistan has failed and contributed to growing mistrust between the two neighboring countries.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, the chief of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party said Pakistan had at times supported Afghan governments and at other times opposed them, describing the policy as unsuccessful.

He said issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan should be resolved through political dialogue and diplomacy rather than the use of force.

Without naming specific groups, Fazlur Rehman also criticized what he described as failed state policies, saying that even groups once regarded as close to Pakistan are now acting against the country.

He called for serious diplomatic and political engagement to address ongoing disputes between Kabul and Islamabad, including trade, border management, refugee issues and security concerns.

His remarks come amid continued tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan over clashes, mutual security accusations and Pakistan’s deportation of Afghan refugees.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has pledged to strengthen cooperation with Afghanistan in preserving, restoring and modernizing the country’s cultural and historical institutions.

According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture, Deputy Minister Mawlawi Atiqullah Azizi met in Kabul with Khalil Ibrahim Okur, the OIC’s deputy for humanitarian affairs, to discuss joint cultural initiatives and efforts to protect Afghanistan’s historical heritage.

The discussions focused on the preservation of historical sites, the digital 3D documentation of cultural artifacts and plans to modernize cultural institutions across the country.

Azizi said Afghanistan holds a rich cultural and historical legacy that is closely tied to the broader Islamic world.

“Afghanistan possesses numerous historical monuments, ancient sites, manuscripts and cultural treasures whose preservation is a shared cultural responsibility for Islamic countries,” he said.

He also called on the OIC to expand support for the development and modernization of public libraries, the National Archives, the National Museum and the Directorate of Fine Arts.

Okur praised the ministry’s efforts to safeguard Afghanistan’s cultural heritage and said the OIC would work with Afghan institutions on practical initiatives related to restoration, digital documentation and the international promotion of Afghanistan’s historical treasures.

He further assured Afghan officials that opportunities would be created for Afghan experts to participate in international educational and scientific programs aimed at strengthening professional skills and gaining new experience.

According to Okur, the OIC is seeking to deepen Afghanistan’s cultural ties with Islamic countries and international cultural organizations through joint programs focused on protecting the country’s historical and cultural heritage.

The two sides also discussed initiatives aimed at improving the capacity and expertise of Afghan professionals working in the cultural and historical sectors.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said that Afghanistan’s representation at the United Nations is both the responsibility of the Islamic Emirate and a right of the Afghan people.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi made the remarks during a meeting with UNAMA chief Georgette Gagnon where the two sides discussed the upcoming UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan as well as other related issues.

The ministry said Muttaqi described Afghanistan’s participation in the United Nations and other international bodies as important for strengthening and expanding engagement between Afghanistan and the international community.

During the meeting, Gagnon stressed the need for greater international engagement with Afghanistan and continued cooperation in different sectors.

The ministry added that both sides emphasized expanding humanitarian cooperation, strengthening mutual engagement, and improving coordination through joint working committees.