Fazl hints at joining hands with PTI

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday dropped hints about joining hands with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), while insinuating that his party's defeat was engineered due to its refusal to dance to the tunes of powers that be.

Addressing the media upon his arrival in Bhakkar, the JUI-F chief said the constitution must be upheld as he appeared to be expressing his willingness to engage with the PTI."When we sit face to face with PTI, then we will know whether there will be an alliance or not. We have a constitution, and we want it to be implemented," he stated.

However, he clarified his party's narrative stood on its own two feet as it was separate from that of PTI. "Our narrative should not be linked with PTI's narrative.”

Regarding the recent general elections, he asserted that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) holds the primary responsibility.

However, he lamented that the relevant stakeholders were absent from the scene during the crucial polls that saw allegations of rigging in its wake.

"Those who had a role for the election did not play the role, and those who did not have a role played the role," he said.

While expressing qualms about military meddling in electoral affairs, he called for civilian supremacy and greater autonomy for the bureaucracy.Questioning the military's involvement in electoral affairs, Fazl emphasised the need for a political government to effectively govern the country and advocated for the independence of the bureaucracy.

He criticised the dominance of 'electables' in electoral politics, accusing them of perpetuating a vicious cycle of patronage, and alleged that the ‘electables’ were paid to take turns.

Furthermore, he highlighted the allocation of two important positions to his rivals within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to undercut his party’s influence.Accusing both international and local establishments of manipulating governments, the JUI-F chief vowed to resist any attempts to impose external agendas on the country.

"We will not allow the mind to become stagnant to accept what the establishment dictates," he declared.Raising concerns about the concentration of power in certain institutions, he questioned the monopoly of influence in the country and urged for a more balanced distribution of authority.

Regarding the political landscape in Punjab, Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticised the backwardness in mentality and the lack of political relevance. He cited the wheat scandal as an example of manipulation by those entrusted with representing the interests of farmers.