Lahore: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Samiul Haq has warned that Afghanistan would see a surge in violence following the ascension of new Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah.
Speaking to Dawn after a Defence of Pakistan Council (DPC) meeting, he said that those who think Haibatullah is a mere cleric and a seminary preacher will soon see his skills as a militant commander.
But Haq has placed the blame on the United States for the rise of the new Taliban Chief and the impending violence under his regime.
“It was America that resorted to violence again; the assassination of Mullah Mansour is nothing short of murder,” he added. The martyrdom of Mullah Mansour will eventually help unite all the Taliban, since everybody will realise that talking peace with the US is futile.” Haq said.
But when asked whether he had any links or was in touch with the new Taliban leadership, he evaded the question, saying, “Everybody knows everybody now – this is the digital age and they are in touch with the whole world.”
A resolution passed at the DPC meeting said that the US had stabbed Pakistan in the back by killing Mansour and called for blocking all Nato supplies to Afghanistan.
The meeting also slammed India over the Kashmir issue, but also blamed the Pakistani government for its efforts to develop friendly relations with India. (ANI)