Fazl shrugs off sit-in concerns, says has strong connections

JUI-F chief accuses govt of bringing country on the verge of economic collapse

PESHAWAR: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has shrugged off concerns of being under pressure from various quarters to call off the protest, saying they have strong connections in the right places (establishment) for staging such a huge political gathering.

“The media is witnessing the most severe form of censorship, which has never been witnessed in the previous martial laws. We are tolerating a democratic martial law in the country,” said the JUI-F chief while talking to the media-persons here on Tuesday.

Maulana Fazl came down hard on the newly-established authorities, saying they were set up to target political figures in the country.

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“The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has borrowed the mightiest loans in the history of the country, which have never been taken by any political or military government and that they have brought the country on the verge of economic collapse,” said the Maulana, terming the country the worst among the regional states in terms of taking loans and economic development.

Giving details about the protest, Fazl said, “We will not imitate the 126-day dharna of the incumbent government and will stage a sit-in until our targets are achieved.

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“We have strong connections with the opposition parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Awami National Party. We will step back from our demands and call off the Azadi march if the government stops making Washington happy as it is against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.”

To a question, Fazl said, “When the incumbent government does not have the ability to resolve the vegetables issue with the Indian government, how can it address the longstanding issue of Kashmir.”
Fazl was of the view that a nuclear war would create major problems for Pakistan on the diplomatic front.

The JUI-F chief accused the government of failing to deliver in the newly-merged tribal districts of the country, saying that the Taliban had resurfaced in a few tribal districts.