CREATIVE: AAMIR KHAN
At a time when the federal government is set to introduce the 25th amendment in parliament in this regard, the JUI-F chief announced it would reject the recommendations made by the Fata reforms committee, creating a charged political atmosphere.
However, this issue appears to be settled and the JUI-F is not likely to go up against the N-League government, The Express Tribune learnt on good authority.
The JUI-F expressed concern over Fata’s merger into the K-P even though it would take place over the next five years.
PML-N sources said the JUI-F was aware that the federal government was set to approve Fata reforms. But the JUI-F still opposed this move in a bid to create an impression “as if it is being taken for a ride”. The situation, the sources believed, was ‘manageable’ as the PML-N leaders believe that Maulana Fazlur Rehman is trying to gain political mileage. “This (situation) is not very serious,” said a source close to the PM.
“The JUI-F is just demonstrating its political importance and relevance … This is pure politics,” he said.
Insiders insisted that the JUI-F had assured the PML-N leadership in no uncertain terms that its opposition to Fata reforms would not affect its support for reestablishing military courts.
Criticising the PM and his cabinet for approving the proposed recommendations on Fata reforms on Thursday, the JUI-F chief had accused the PM and his government of deceiving their political ally. He maintained that he would review his decision regarding supporting the 25th amendment. But the next day, Fazl happily accompanied the PM to the North Waziristan Agency where the prime minister had gone to inaugurate a dam project.
PML-N insiders viewed this to indicate that Maulana Fazl was in no mood to burn his bridges and was more than willing to support the PML-N government on key political issues.
The JUI-F chief also indicated in his media briefing on Thursday that he would take up the issue of Fata reforms during an upcoming meeting with the PM. “If things were really serious, Maulana Fazl would not have gone to NWA with the PM so willingly. The reaction he (Maulana Fazl) showed over Fata reforms appears to be a pre-planned affair. Otherwise, if you share such views about Mian sahib and his government, you just cannot be around him and that too on the very next day. This is not how the PM and his government operates,” said a senior PML-N leader, who wished not to be named.
According to him, Maulana Fazl’s antics were part of an effort to get JUI-F candidates elevated to various important posts, including the chairmanship of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) and provision of hefty development funds to JUI-F lawmakers for their constituencies.
“The PM has already accommodated the JUI-F by providing a large amount of development funds. He is in no mood to oblige Maulana Fazl again. You can well understand why the JUI-F chief is making such a noise,” the source said.
The post of CII chairman has been lying vacant since the retirement of JUI-F leader Muhammad Khan Sheerani a few months ago and Fazl is actively lobbying to get one of his party members on the CII, but the PM has so far not paid any heed to this demand.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman told The Express Tribune that Fata reforms and military courts were two separate issues. “You cannot equate apples with oranges. Just because we are a government ally does not mean we support them on all issues. We have a principled stance on Fata reforms from day one. Our view on this issue does not bind our party to adopt a similar line on military courts. Actually, we have agreed to support the government on this issue … in the broader national interest. There is no need to do the same on Fata reforms … Fata’s merger with the K-P will not serve the interests of the people of Fata and K-P.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2017.
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