Unity of opposition has shaken govt, says Fazl

JUI-F chief says PTI which damaged economy by 2014 sit-in is now preaching peace

PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman has said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government has constituted a committee to hold talks with his party with regard to its Azadi march but at the same time, it is issuing threats to the organisers of this anti-government protest.

“However, threats and intimidation cannot prevent us from a peaceful and democratic struggle,” Fazl said on Monday while addressing the JUI-F’s provincial Majlis Shura meeting in Peshawar. The meeting was chaired by Maulana Ata-ur-Rehman while Maulana Ata-ul-Haq presented the Azadi march agenda.

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The JUI-F chief said the Azadi march preparations are being made since past one year as the rulers through constant lies and deceit have brought the country to the brink of destruction. “After fooling the nation, the ruling party is trying to obstruct the national protest through threats and coercion.

He said the PTI which attacked the national institutions during its 2014 sit-in in Islamabad and created law and order situation is now teaching a message of peace to the JUI-F, which, according to him, has held fifteen peaceful million marches.

“The unity of the opposition has shaken the government and threats by the government are a proof of their incompetence. The Azadi march has been announced by the JUI-F but it has become a voice of all classes and political parties,” he said. Fazl announced that the decision to hold talks with the government will be taken by the Rahbar committee and the JUI-F has not shut the doors to talks.

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“It does not suit the government to talk about state of Madina. Democracy has been nullified while economy has been destroyed and investors are moving abroad. The country is in crisis while it has become difficult for the common man to live,” he said.

Fazlur Rehman said Prime Minister Imran Khan is no longer ‘selected’ but has become a ‘rejected’ PM. He also criticised the premier’s recent speech at United Nations General Assembly and said the UN speech hurt “our cause at the international forum and upset our friends.”

He also accused the government of selling the Kashmir cause and promised that the JUI-F will stand with the Kashmiris. “Talk of a nuclear war with India has undermined Pakistan’s case as its atomic capabilities are a means of deterrence only. The JUI-F wants to save the country in these conditions,” he said.