Fazl rebuffs idea of presidential system

JUI-F chief says real issue is not parliamentary system but non-implementation of Constitution

Senior opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman rebuffed on Tuesday the idea of replacing the country’s current parliamentary system with the presidential form of government, saying that such insinuations were contrary to the Constitution.

Addressing the ‘Preserving the Constitution’ conference organised by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in Layyah, Fazl, who also heads the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), stressed the need for the people to understand the basic principles of the Constitution.

“The presidential form of government is a symbol of war and dictatorship… no one can impose authoritarian rule in the country and only people have the right to elect their representatives,” the JUI-F chief told the conference.

Fazl, while recalling the tenures of the military rulers in the past, said that country suffered a lot under the “presidential governments” led by military rulers. “General Ayub Khan sold our three rivers to India. Likewise, during the tenure of General Yahya Khan the country was split into two parts,” he said.

“Those who speak in favour of the presidential system are violating the 1973 Constitution,” Fazl said, adding: “Such ideas are against the country’s national interest.” He referred to the ‘Objectives Resolution’, saying that it was made part of the Constitution and the people abided by this system.

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The JUI-F chief said the real issue was not the system of the country but the non-implementation of the Constitution, implying that the country’s democratic system was not fully independent. He added that the National Assembly was devoid of the spirit of democracy.

Taking a jibe at the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Fazl said the incumbent government had destroyed the country’s economy and surrendered its autonomy to the international institutions. “We have never witnessed such an incompetent government, which presents four budgets in a year.”

Fazl added that the Constitution of Pakistan was comprehensive and guaranteed rights to all ethnicities. “That’s why despite the severe economic crisis in the country, no one has revolted in any party of the country,” the Maulana said.

As dictatorship could not work in Pakistan, he continued, there was no scope for a presidential system in the country. “We talk about the protection of the Constitution and we will continue to do so. The Constitution is the point that unites the nation,” he said.

Referring to the calls and efforts for the creation of Saraiki province, the PDM president opined that if such a province was created by bifurcating Punjab, it would be for the people of that area. Similarly, he added that the people of Punjab had the right to Punjab’s resources.