Fazl says K-P govt has become 'meaningless'

DERA ISMAIL KHAN:

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has asserted that in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), not only is there a governance crisis, but the very existence of the provincial government has become "meaningless".

Speaking to journalists in Dera Ismail Khan on Friday, Fazl accused the government of abandoning citizens to the mercy of circumstances. "The government has left people at the whim of fate, but we cannot leave the public alone," he said.

Recalling the struggles faced by the people of K-P, the JUI leader said residents had borne "unbearable burdens" in pursuit of peace and cooperation with state institutions. From Bajaur to South Waziristan, millions were forced to leave their homes and businesses, while thousands of families were displaced across cities from Peshawar to Karachi.

However, despite such "timeless sacrifices", peace remained elusive in the province. Fazl charged that the state had failed in its fundamental responsibility to protect the lives, property, and honour of its citizens.

"It is tragic that the state has the capacity to provide security, but instead chooses to ignore citizens' survival, while chasing its own objectives. This approach does not even serve the country's interests," he warned.

Answering a question, Fazl clarified that his party was not advocating resistance against state institutions. Rather, he said, the JUI was critical of their political role and certain policies that directly affect both politicians and ordinary citizens.

"We want the public to respect defence institutions and love them. But sadly, the opposite is happening. The institutions are rapidly losing public support — and this will prove disastrous for the country and all of us," he cautioned.