Fazl reiterates charge of public mandate ‘theft’

JUI-F chief addresses PkMAP rally in Quetta


Mohammad Zafar December 03, 2019
JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman addresses a public gathering in Quetta. PHOTO: INP

QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam- Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday expressed his discontent against the federal government, calling the latter ‘a group of thieves’ who stole the public mandate in the last general elections.

“We don’t acknowledge the incumbent government as the voice of the people because they were elected through rigged polls,” Fazl said while addressing a public gathering called by Pashtunkhuwa Mili Awami Party (PkMAP) on the 46th death anniversary of Khan Abdul Samad Khan Shaheed at Quetta’s hockey ground.

The JUI-F chief criticised the ruling party, saying that the fragile government that emerged after the 2018 elections was incompetent and incapable of addressing public issues.

“In order to strengthen democracy, we need supremacy of the Constitution,” he said.

Taking a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Prime Minister Imran Khan, the JUI-F leader said when his ancestors didn’t cow down before the British invaders, how can he accept the rule of a man placed by western powers in Pakistan.

“General (retd ) Musharaf once asked me to accept the United States’ power in the region but I replied that we have been told by our elders to confront all invaders whether external or internal,” Fazl maintained, vowing no compromise on people’s rights.

Terming Azadi March successful, he said the movement has opened a door to struggle against the ‘selected regime’ and spread a global message that hand-picked rulers aren’t accepted here.

He also stressed upon all institutions to work within their jurisdictions, adding that the JUI-F has never supported collision among institutions.

“Powerful forces of the country should accept the supremacy of parliament and the Constitution,” said Fazl, reiterating that ousting the incompetent government has become imperative for the better future of the country.

Talking about a federal minister’s statement regarding inflation in the country, Maulana said: “Prime Minister announced 10 million jobs but instead of creating them, his cabinet members claim that the government is not responsible for providing employment opportunities.”

The JUI-F chief lauded the political and humanitarian struggle of Khan Abdul Samad Khan Shaheed and added that the late leader never compromised on people’s rights.

PkMAP Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai, former Deputy Chairman Senate Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri and other leaders also addressed the gathering.

Pashtunkhwa Mili Awami Party’s Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai claimed having enough power to end Jam Kamal led provincial government within a month, adding that the Balochistan CM should be questioned regarding who brought him and his party into power.

“Jam Kamal is a modest and virtuous man and even my friend but if Maulana Fazlur Rehman orders us, we will oust the former’s government in Balochistan within a period of one month,” said Achakzai while addressing the gathering.

Stressing upon supremacy of Constitution and the parliament, he said the PkMAP will never accept the supremacy of other institutions over parliament because the latter is supreme above all.

“Our movement against the selected regime will continue because we don’t accept the rulers who came in parliament through back-door diplomacy or use of money,” he asserted

Urging China, United States and other countries to avoid signing treaties with the current federal government, Achakzai said they do not accept international deals with the incumbent regime.

“Those seeking to explore our oil, gas, gold and copper reserves should talk to us rather than central government which has been elected through rigged elections,”Achkazai said, demanding corridors at Torkham and Chaman borders as well following the Kartarpur opening.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2019.

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