Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the JUI-F emir, criticized the powerful establishment for its interference in politics over the weekend. He emphasized that parliament should be composed of the people’s representatives, not those from any other agency.
Since the February 8 general elections, Fazl, known for maintaining balanced relations with both friends and foes, has been vocally critical of both the establishment and the current government. He has repeatedly rejected the election results and has met with opposition parties, including the PTI, several times over the past few months. He expressed his frustration over alleged poll rigging and the role of outsiders in the formation and dissolution of governments.
Continuing his criticism on Saturday during a public assembly in Muzaffargarh, Fazl stated:
Criticism of Political Meddling
- “Vote is people’s right and governments should be formed per people’s wishes, regardless of the power one wields.”
- He sent a message to the “powerful quarters”, stating that the nation disregards their power and “won’t accept servitude.”
- “You cannot keep making a mockery of people’s rights and disparage the value of their votes while sitting in the comforts of your palace.”
Fazl accused the current assemblies of being controlled by the establishment and not representing the people:
- “We respect the institutions. We consider parliament a representative body of people,” he said, adding that it should have their representatives, not those of any other agency.
- He argued that there is not even a semblance of democracy in Pakistan, with parliament being subjugated.
Emphasizing Democratic Principles
- “I am an experienced parliamentarian,” he said, questioning whether lawmakers can make laws as they wish.
- He acknowledged the army’s importance as a defense force but reminded that every soldier takes an oath to never participate in politics. “If you violate that oath, you are no longer a soldier, and I am not obliged to respect you.”
Criticism of Blame on Kabul
- Fazl stated that the economy has been faltering for 75 years, contrasting it with India, China, and Afghanistan, whose economies, he claimed, are better than Pakistan’s.
- He criticized the failure to eliminate terrorism, accusing the government of using Afghanistan as a scapegoat to cover up its own failures. “If terrorists cross the border from Afghanistan, then why are they not stopped at the border,” he asked rhetorically.
- He highlighted that the war against terror has devastated border tribes, making them vengeful against their own institutions.
Additional Criticisms and Future Plans
- Fazl also lambasted the government for not procuring wheat from farmers and questioned the decision to import 3.5 million metric tonnes of wheat when the local crop was ready to be harvested.
- He vowed to continue public meetings and announced a “massive jalsa” on September 7 at the Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore to celebrate the “Day of Victory.”
Other JUI-F leaders, including former federal minister Maulana Asad Mehmood, JUI-F Central General Secretary Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi, and the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter head Maulana Ataur Rehman, also addressed the event.
