JUI-F chief warns govt of public uprising

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday launched a blistering broadside at the government, saying those who took reins of power through "rigging" will not be able to survive the people's wrath when they take to the streets, adding that "now they will face incumbent rulers" on all the fronts, including in parliament.

The JUI-F leader was addressing a Kissan convention in Mardan.

"Corruption prevails at every level in Pakistan. Instead of those who were elected by the people, others took reins of power. It is futile to expect solutions from a parliament that is no longer trusted by the people," he said.

In an apparent reference to Mubarak Sani's court verdict, Fazl stressed that "no one can restore the previous status of Qadianis," adding that "they will have to walk over our bodies to achieve this".

The JUI-F chief claimed that conspiracies were being hatched against seminaries once again, announcing to "wage a war" against such efforts.

"An effort is being made to break the connection between the people and Islam and religious scholars. People should unite to thwart this move," he said. "For this [purpose], we don't need to take up weapons but to wage a political struggle."

Fazl warned the government that it will not be able to save itself from a public uprising.

"Government will not be able to survive people's wrath when they take to the streets," he said, adding that "now they will face incumbent rulers on all fronts, including in parliament".