A day after his coalition comrades rallied behind PML-N’s Shehbaz Sharif for the top executive post in the country, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday tossed a political curveball, rejecting the "rigged" election results while extending an invitation to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to join him on the opposition benches instead of chasing government dreams.
The JUI-F, nursing wounds from a bruising defeat in the recent elections, refused to take the electoral outcome lying down and announced kickstarting nationwide protests against the alleged electoral manipulation by "anti-Islamic forces".
Fazl, who was conspicuously absent during Tuesday’s press conference that breathed new life into PDM to once again support Shehbaz for the prime ministerial slot, came forward on Wednesday, calling for Nawaz Sharif to join him on the opposition benches rather than forming a government.
He also expressed reservations about the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) role which, he alleged, had been “dubious from day one”.
"Today, our central committee met, which has rejected the election results and expressed reservations about the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan, but JUI-F will play its role in the parliament and will attend it with reservations,” he said addressing a press conference.
He accused the election process of being manipulated at the behest of “anti-Islamic forces”.
He emphasised the party's commitment to maintaining strong relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stating that their efforts in this regard were not accepted by the United States and Israel.
"JUI-F is an ideological force, which will not compromise on national issues. We will run the movement for our greater goals," Fazl declared, adding, "The role of the ECP has been suspicious since day one."
He went on to claim that the election results indicated widespread bribery and asserted that the party's candidates and workers faced threats and intimidation.
Maulana Fazl accused the police of being taken hostage in several villages, creating a tense environment for the elections.
"If the establishment thinks that the election has been transparent, then their narrative of the May 9 tragedy is over," he stated, challenging the credibility of the electoral process. He extended an invitation to Nawaz Sharif, urging him to join the opposition in their protest against the alleged irregularities.
Responding to questions, he clarified that the conflict was a matter of minds with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and not of bodies. He expressed the possibility of reconciliation if the PTI's stance changed.
Fazl concluded by stating that the JUI-F would initiate a protest movement across the country to press for the approval of their demands.
Fazl emphasised that the extent of rigging in the recent election surpassed even that of the 2018 polls.
He accused the Election Commission of Pakistan of being under the control of the establishment, claiming that the entire election process was manipulated.
"The election process was held hostage, with bribes influencing both victories and defeats. In response, we are initiating a nationwide protest movement to advocate for democracy. The decisions will now be made in the field, not just within the confines of parliament," Fazl declared.
Clarifying the party's stance, he emphasised their preparedness and independence, asserting, "We did not come to the field hastily; we have made thorough preparations. We are not aligned with any political party, including PML-N. We will not endorse Shehbaz Sharif as the prime minister candidate in parliament, as our party has prohibited him from forming the government. Therefore, we will not be part of any government. Those who believe in the rigged nature of elections should join our cause, while others can choose to remain indifferent."
Also read: PTI loses JI’s cooperation on K-P government formation
GDA plans mass sit-in
Meanwhile, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) is gearing up to stage a sit-in in Hyderabad on February 16 against alleged irregularities in the general election.
The party has invited opponents of the PPP in the province to participate in the protest.
GDA leader and Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT) head, Ayaz Latif Palijo, extended invitations on Tuesday to Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STP) to join the sit-in protest at Hyderabad Bypass.
Reportedly, Palijo held discussions over the phone with JI's Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and STP's chairman Dr Qadir Magsi, informing them that the alliance's leader Pir Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi, who also leads the spiritual Hurr Jamaat, will spearhead the sit-in.
Palijo asserted that hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the protest to voice their opposition to the alleged electoral malpractices.
"Pakistan's establishment seems to have disregarded the lessons from the partition of Bengal," he remarked, condemning the filing of FIRs against GDA's election candidates.
Meanwhile, at a press conference in Larkana district, GDA's Moazzam Abbassi and JUI-F’s provincial leader Nasir Khalid Mehmood Soomro highlighted Pagara's recent press conference, which they claimed, has exposed the extent of rigging.
"The primary purpose of elections is to foster stability in the country, but the post-election stock exchange downturn reflects a different reality," Abbassi remarked.
Soomro emphasised discrepancies between the results reported in Form 45 by presiding officers and those in Form 47 provided by Returning Officers. He stated that JUI-F is advocating for a nationwide re-conduct of general elections.
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