Fazl rejects supremacy of ‘one institution’

Says their mandate was rigged not by political parties but by establishment

LAHORE:

Toughening his stance against the establishment, the chief of his eponymous faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday refused to “acknowledge supremacy of one institution”. Issuing a stern warning, he urged those in power to “stay within their limits”, while also alleging widespread coercion of voters to support “preferred candidates” nationwide.

“We cannot build a nation through oppression. Let us remain a nation grounded in ethics and intellect. Establishment should listen that this is the voice of Fazlur Rehman and of his party,” he said while addressing the JUI-F Punjab General Council in Lahore.

The JUI-F chief, who faced defeat in the Feb 8 elections in his home district, had been accusing the powerful quarters of rigging the ballot and forming a government of their choice.

He decided to abstain from participating in the parliamentary elections and sit on the opposition benches.

Read more: Fazl foresees collapse of ‘system’

The JUI-F chief emphasised their adherence to the concept of democracy defined by senior religious scholars and questioned the deviation from democratic norms.

"Parliament is being brought into existence according to western interests. Do not expect anything from the rulers. They have buried their dignity before their demise," he remarked.
Fazl questioned the credibility of the United States in advocating the human rights after its actions in Afghanistan and Palestine.

"Our manifesto states that we become the voice of the oppressed. I told Shehbaz Sharif, join the opposition, lest you become a target of our movement," he added.

The JUI-F chief warned that they could not only “create trouble” in the parliament but also outside the House.

He concluded by saying that their mandate was not rigged by political parties but by the establishment.

Also read: Fazl won’t ‘lick boots’ to get to dummy parliament

Without naming anyone, the JUI-F leader stated they would not “accept supremacy of one institution” while cautioning those in power to “stay within their boundaries”.

Fazl said people in villages and rural areas were frequently forced to vote for certain candidates against their will. "Our party is often told to withdraw our candidate for someone, money is also demanded from our candidates. If we present evidence, there will be no refuge for you,” he said.

Expressing apprehension about the state of democracy, the JUI-F leader remarked, "Regrettably, I see this country heading towards the situation in Bengal. Parliament is merely a symbolic institution, and democracy is losing its ground".

Challenging those who label their struggle against democracy, he asserted, "We are fighting against those who declare democracy as infidelity, but we are being cornered. If parliament continues to be formed through rigging, it will lose its significance".