Govt has ‘lost peoples’ trust’, claims Fazl

ISLAMABAD:

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has alleged that the public has lost trust in the government, asserting the masses will refuse to pay unjustified and extreme taxes, lamenting that the “heartless state” has abandoned its people.

During a speech at the National Assembly’s budget session on Wednesday, the JUI-F emir accused the state of failing to protect its citizens, alleging that the state “has become heartless, unable to provide security to its people”.

He emphasised the public’s distrust in the government, “The people will not pay taxes because they do not trust you. They know their tax money will not be spent on them but will go to the IMF. Every sector, every income, every business is heavily taxed.”

The JUI-F emir further alleged that diplomatically, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not return from China successfully.

“China responded in one clear point, expressing its concerns about political instability and poor security conditions in Pakistan,” he said, referring to the concerns raised by Chinese officials regarding the lack of stability and peace in Pakistan.

He once again criticised the Azm-e-Istehkam Operation stating that military operations being conducted since 2010 have only led to instability. “We have been suffering under the guise of operations since 2010. This is not stability; we are doing this for China.”

“You have dismantled the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD), leaving thousands unemployed. Who did you consult?” he questioned.

Rehman reiterated his advice to the prime minister: “I advised you not to take on this responsibility. You should have expanded the consultation process. When I warned you, you asked what ‘trouble’ meant. Now that you have taken it on, you must face it.”

‘Forced evacuations’

Fazl further condemned the forced evacuations due to military operations, “We conducted operations and asked people to leave their homes. From Swat to North Waziristan, areas were cleared, leading to internal displacement”.

“People were forced to vacate their areas for these operations. Tribal women were sent to deserts, and many places in tribal areas were cleared, forcing people to beg. Their dignity and traditions were harmed,” he protested.

He highlighted the insufficient compensation provided to the displaced, saying, “Victims are given Rs400,000 to rebuild their homes. This amount is not enough to build even a bathroom. It’s a joke.”

The JUI-F chief maintained that instead of cash, the victims are given tokens. He said that for nine months, people have been stranded at the Chaman border. “While we call it the Pak-Afghan border, Afghanistan considers it the Durand Line.”

“People in Chaman have been protesting for nine months. Is this how a country treats its border populations? These people have no alternative employment. Mothers and sisters sold their jewellery, but even that money is gone. Now, they are forced to sell household items. Does the state realise this?”

Later, speaking to the media in the parliament’s corridors, he asserted, “A minority is ruling the country. Even the Pakistan Peoples Party is not part of the government.”