Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), issued a warning to the establishment on Thursday, cautioning them against exceeding their authority and urging them to respect their boundaries, as reported by Express News.
“We refuse to bow down to the supremacy of any institution. Let us uphold our values and intellect as a nation,” Fazl stated during a party meeting held in Lahore.
In an implicit reference to the military establishment, Fazl asserted, “We do not yield to the dominance of any institution. Therefore, it’s imperative to respect your limitations.”
Fazl emphasized that his message echoed the sentiments of both himself and his party members.
He expressed concern over coercion tactics used in rural areas during elections, where voters are often pressured to support specific candidates against their will. “Our party frequently faces demands to withdraw our candidates or financial extortion. If evidence is presented, there will be no escape for those involved,” he warned.
Reflecting on the state of democracy, Maulana Fazlur Rehman lamented, “Unfortunately, I see our country moving towards a situation akin to Bengal, where Parliament is merely symbolic, and democracy is eroding.”
Challenging those who oppose their democratic struggle, he asserted, “We are combating those who denounce democracy, yet we find ourselves marginalized. If elections continue to be marred by rigging, the significance of Parliament will diminish.”
Highlighting their commitment to democratic principles defined by senior religious scholars, Fazl questioned the departure from these norms.
“The formation of Parliament is aligning with Western interests; we should not expect anything from the ruling elite who have compromised their integrity,” he remarked.
He questioned America’s credibility in advocating for human rights following its actions in Afghanistan and Palestine.
“Our manifesto emphasizes advocating for the oppressed; I urged Shehbaz Sharif to join the opposition to avoid being targeted by our movement,” he added.
Fazl concluded by stating that their mandate was undermined not by other political parties but by the establishment.
