JUI-F chief criticises institutions for using polls to enhance power

Fazlur Rehman also stressed that authoritarian forces are growing stronger due to politicians' weaknesses.

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Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), expressed serious concerns over the alleged "stealing of the public mandate" in the general elections, labelling them more rigged than the 2018 polls.

In a press conference on Wednesday, he criticised institutions for manipulating election outcomes to consolidate their power.

Rehman, who has consistently condemned the February 8, 2024, elections, referred to the recent Balochistan by-election for provincial constituency PB-45 (Quetta-8) as a prime example of election rigging.

The by-election, in which the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate was declared the winner by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), was followed by a wheel-jam strike in Balochistan led by JUI-F.

"The institutions manipulate election results to strengthen their authority," said Rehman, adding that political compromises are often made for the sake of power. He also stressed that authoritarian forces are growing stronger due to politicians' weaknesses.

The JUI-F chief further warned that any institution exceeding its Constitutional limits must reassess its behaviour. "All institutions must remain within their Constitutional framework," he said, asserting that Parliament has become ineffective.

Calling for fresh elections, Rehman questioned why the country should accept a rigged election, stating: "If elections can be rigged, why not hold early elections?"

In response to questions, the JUI-F chief expressed support for the ongoing negotiations between the ruling coalition and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He stated, "I am a politician and always support negotiation. There are good hopes from the talks between the government and the PTI."

He also reiterated his stance that politicians should not be imprisoned, wishing that issues could be resolved through dialogue.