Fazl says offered bribe to shun anti-rigging drive

Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday said that he was punished in the general elections for opposing the merger of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) and operation in the tribal areas.

Addressing to public rally against alleged rigging in the general elections, the JUI-F chief said they don’t accept the National Assembly and all provincial assemblies for being the product of rigging.

“These assemblies are the representatives of the establishment, and calling them public representatives is an insult of the public mandate,” said Fazl.

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He said, “We want to convey our message to the Pakistani as well as international establishment and the bureaucracy that we do not want to lead a life of slavery,” adding, “Offers are being made to them for halting campaign against rigging.”

The JUI-F chief announced to holding rallies in Muzaffarabad and Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore on June 01 and September 27 respectively.

“When the operation in the tribal areas was launched I was the first to oppose it and I still oppose it and am being punished for my stance,” said Fazl asked about the benefits of the operation and merger of FATA.

He said the international establishment opposed his entry to the assembly because he met the Hamas chief, adding the US is supporting Israel openly but Pakistani leaders are not ready to make statements against the atrocities being committed in Palestine.

He said a promise was made to dole out Rs1000 billion in ten years at the time of the merger of FATA but not even Rs100 billion were disbursed.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Reko Diq is the property of the people of Balochistan but no legislation was made to give them their right.

He warned against exerting pressure through intimidation, adding his mandate is with public and they are not going to retreat.