Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has accused Pakistan of facilitating US military operations in Afghanistan during the two-decade conflict, saying Islamabad allowed American aircraft to use its airspace to carry out strikes.

Speaking at a conference, Fazlur Rehman claimed Pakistan had never prevented armed fighters from crossing into Afghanistan and criticized what he described as contradictory state policies.

He also said Afghanistan is a country that needs peace, stability and independence, but alleged that Pakistan’s military establishment has repeatedly contributed to instability in the country.

According to Fazlur Rehman, whenever the United States or Western countries sought to destabilize Afghanistan, Pakistan acted as a proxy while simultaneously presenting itself as a partner in the fight against terrorism.

The JUI-F leader also criticized the Pakistani government’s policy on the registration of religious seminaries, warning that the approach could fuel protests and heighten tensions within the country.

Afghanistan’s National Disaster Preparedness Authority has released updated preliminary figures showing that 23 people have been killed, 80 injured and nearly 100 remain missing following devastating flash floods in Parun, the capital of Nuristan province on Monday.

Taj Mohammad Hemat, deputy spokesperson for the authority, said 15 bodies have so far been recovered, while search and rescue teams continue operations in the affected areas.

According to officials, the floods completely destroyed seven houses and partially damaged 23 others. The disaster also destroyed 70 shops, 40 vehicles and 11 hotels, either completely or partially.

Authorities stressed that the figures remain preliminary and are expected to change as rescue efforts and damage assessments continue.

Emergency teams are still working to locate missing people and deliver assistance to affected families.

Flash floods have caused widespread devastation in Parun, the capital of Afghanistan’s eastern Nuristan province, with authorities reporting a sharp rise in casualties as search and rescue operations continue.

According to Afghanistan’s National Disaster Preparedness Authority, preliminary figures show that 20 people have been killed, around 80 injured and more than 100 remain missing after powerful floods swept through the city on Monday afternoon.

Mohammad Yousuf Hamad, spokesperson for the authority, said the casualty figures are preliminary and could change as emergency teams continue searching for survivors and those still missing.

Earlier, local officials reported that the floods struck Parun at around 3:00pm, damaging the municipality building, several hotels, telecommunications offices, parks, bridges and dozens of residential homes.

Faridun Samim, spokesperson for the Nuristan governor, said the flooding caused extensive destruction across the provincial capital, with financial losses estimated at around $35 million.

The Islamic Emirate has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged assistance to those affected, while rescue teams remain on the ground to support ongoing relief efforts.