Fazl says detention laws violate basic rights

JUI-F chief remains vocal against new legislation

PESHAWAR:

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that Clause 8 has been removed from the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and following this, rapid legislation is being carried out.

"Human rights are being violated in the country. Under the new amendments, anyone can be detained for up to 90 days," he asserted.

He stated that recent actions have created suspicion among the people of the country. Maulana Fazlur Rehman was speaking at Bilour House in Peshawar, where he visited to offer condolences to senior ANP leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour on the passing of his brother, former Senator Ilyas Bilour.

During a conversation with the media, he said, "I am here to express my condolences on the demise of Ilyas Bilour, a political leader and social figure of the region. His passing has caused deep sorrow."

Commenting on PTI's protest, he said, "I am not aware of their protest as I just returned from the UK yesterday." He, however, criticised the provincial government's focus.

"Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been facing the worst security situation for 15 years, but the government is more concerned with saving its politics and power than the lives and property of the people. The government is wasting its energy on non-political matters."

Fazl also criticised the changes in the 26th Constitutional Amendment. "Bills that go against the spirit of the Constitution are being passed, and laws are being made that violate human rights." He said the amendments should indeed be brought to Parliament, but amendments that violate human rights are unacceptable."

While he was still in London last week, Fazl said Clause 8 was removed from the agenda during the 26th Constitutional Amendment, yet the government was bringing a law that allows the military to detain anyone for three months based on suspicion, with the possibility of extension. He believed this showed a disregard for this exclusion.

He said protecting the Constitution is the responsibility of the rulers. "The 26th Constitutional Amendment was not forcibly approved; rather, the government's initial draft contained 56 clauses. They kept agreeing to withdraw their clauses, and when a 22-clause draft was finalised, we added five clauses, creating a draft with 27 clauses. This was then approved by both houses."

He said the law to allow detentions negates the rights of the people, and suggests that the government is a representative of the establishment, not the people. "Their behavior supports our opinion about the election results. They have no concern for the public, but instead aim to empower the already powerful, which highlights the weakness of politicians."

He said the assemblies are managed, and if the establishment grants someone the presidency or a provincial government, they will demand services in return.