Fazl foresees collapse of ‘system’

Warning of a “system collapse” in the country because of excessive interference from the establishment, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman announced on Tuesday his party would stay away from the upcoming elections of the speakers and other higher posts.

Speaking at a news conference in Peshawar, Fazl departed from his oft-repeated stance against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, saying that he reiterated his longstanding opposition to the imprisonment of political figures.

The “system will collapse” because of the excessive interference from the establishment, Fazl told reporters, adding that the establishment wanted that the people elected to the assemblies were aligned to their preferences.

He recalled his party’s protests against rigging in the 2018 elections and expressed concerns over what he deemed as excessive interference in the country’s politics. Raising alarms, he said the interference had reached a point where even election candidates faced undue influence.

“They cannot run the country, and the system will collapse. Those who are sticking to the system will be crying in the coming days,” he said. He claimed that he had the information before the elections that his party would be suppressed in the February 8 vote for links to Afghanistan, and opposing Israel.

The JUI-F leader, who faced drubbing in the recent elections, also announced his decision to remain “neutral” in the upcoming presidential elections, adding that the party would also stay away from the elections of speakers, deputy speakers, and the leaders of the house.

Furthermore, he revealed the party would resign from the opposition benches in the assemblies. “We do not want to join any government and have decided to stay out of the flawed system,” the JUI-F chief said. “Those who are part of the system will cry.”

Highlighting that the arrests of political figures were not a new thing, he said that irrespective of political differences, he had consistently disapproved of the incarceration of politicians. “On a personal level, the arrests of political figures do not bring me joy,” he said.

Fazl recalled that he had had his share of incarceration too. “I have spent years in jail myself”. However, he maintained that he recognised legal proceedings and that the courts had to decide on the merit in each case.

Without explicitly mentioning PTI founder Imran Khan, who penned a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urging an election audit, Fazl stressed that political stakeholders must avoid engagement with foreign institutions on the internal affairs of the country.

Commenting on the relationship with PTI, Fazl remarked: “There was a ‘mountain’, and not a wall, between us and PTI.” However, he added that the JUI-F has consistently maintained an open-door policy for dialogue if any party demonstrated genuine intent to addressing its concerns.

Fazl highlighted that his party adhered to political traditions by treating the delegation of its rival, PTI, with respect. The JUI-F leader disclosed that the party’s Central General Council would convene to deliberate upon the future course of action in parliamentary politics.