'Fake parliament' can't amend Constitution: Fazl

KARACHI:

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said a fake parliament established on the basis of rigged elections has no right to make changes in the Constitution.

"The federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) governments are not representatives of the people; they are governments with a fake mandate," Fazl said on Sunday while talking to reporters after getting elected unopposed as the JUI-F chief for the next five years in intra-party elections.

"A parliament with a fake mandate does not have the authority to make constitutional amendments. Fresh polls should be held in the country to bring in leaders who have the people's mandate," he said.

Fazl was talking with reference to a constitutional package that the PML-N led ruling coalition is desperate to introduce.

The proposed package seeks some major changes in the country's justice system including extension in the top judge's term as well as establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court.

The controversial package has not been tabled in parliament despite hectic efforts by the ruling coalition, as it has failed to muster the two-thirds support required for making the amendments.

Fazl's party can play a crucial role in the passage of the constitutional amendments. However, the JUI-F chief has rejected the package.

He said the JUI-F has presented suggestions in parliament that amendments should not be person-specific or made for political purposes.

"The government has put the amendments on hold. In the next phase, it will present its draft. The JUI-F, the PPP, and the PTI are also preparing their drafts. Our effort is to bring amendments through consensus," he said.

Commenting on the country's political situation, Fazlt said a clear message has been sent: The JUI-F should not be underestimated. "

"Our resolve is strong, and if rigging occurs again, we will be in the field. We are still here, and our workers have proven their strength. In 2018, our spirits were high, and now we have shown through our million march across the country that our workers are still active and alive."

Situation in K-P

The JUI-F chief said the K-P province is currently burning in flames and there is no writ of government in some areas of its southern districts where armed groups are roaming freely.

"The tribal people are suffering; they were better off before the merger. Now, there is neither Fata [Federally Administered Tribal Areas] nor settled areas. We are caught up in disputes, and we don't even know what the priorities are. The government needs to reflect on this."

He said when Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was the prime minister, he visited his residence ahead of Fata's merger with the K-P back in 2018.

"He had agreed to some of our proposals with regard to the merger, but then he reversed his decision. I was told that the US wanted the merger of Fata. How can we claim to be a sovereign country when we are not even sovereign within ourselves?" he asked.

He said the people of former tribal districts had suffered injustice.

"Out of the promised Rs800 billion, not even Rs100 billion have been provided yet," he said.

Middle East crisis

The JUI-F chief said Arab countries need to consider the fact that Israel now seeks to extend its war to the Arab world and the Gulf.

"This is no longer just a Palestinian issue, and the Arab world cannot remain silent on it. If Arab nations stay silent, fail to remain alert, and do not establish a joint defense system, this fire will engulf the entire world. Therefore, mutual cooperation must increase, and vigilance is necessary."

He praised the speech of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the United Nations, stating that for the first time, Pakistan has shown that the nation is alive.

"Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Malaysia, and Indonesia, along with Pakistan, are capable of uniting the Islamic world to form a bloc of Islamic nations.

"After Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's martyrdom is a significant event which has strengthened Israel mentally, but we must not lose courage. Jihad must continue," he said.

JUI-F's party polls

Earlier, in intra-party elections, members of the JUI-F's general council unanimously re-elected Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri respectively as the party's central leader and general secretary for the next five years.

The general council meeting for the election of the central leadership of the JUI-F was held on Sunday in Peshawar, with 1,500 council members from across the country taking part.

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Fazlur Rehman on his re-election in a statement issued by the PM's office. Shehbaz said under the leadership of Maulana Fazl, the JUI-F has consistently represented the people's aspirations.

"Maulana Fazlur Rehman's election as the JUI-F chief will promote democratic values, emphasizing his significant role in upholding the supremacy of the parliament in the country," he said.