Fazl calls for new Charter of Democracy

JUI-F chief urges govt, opposition to sit together

ISLAMABAD:

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday called on the government and opposition to sit together and forge a new Charter of Democracy (CoD), warning that the country was heading towards further instability amid declining political tolerance and worsening law and order.

Speaking in the National Assembly, the JUI-F chief said the country belonged to all its citizens and not to any military officer or general. He urged political forces to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than resorting to unconstitutional measures or violence.

"If you want to humiliate us at all costs, we would rather die at the hands of the government than at the hands of history," Fazl said, reiterating his warning against political repression.

Fazl said parliament was a representative institution of the people, but the capacity to tolerate dissent had diminished and matters were deteriorating.

He recalled that when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's long march was heading towards Islamabad, the party's leaders had approached him, asking him to play a role in resolving the situation.

The JUI-F chief said he subsequently held detailed discussions with government representatives, including PM's Adviser Rana Sanaullah, before receiving a telephone call from the prime minister's office inviting him to dinner.

During the meeting, he said, the prime minister had asked for the long march to be called off.

Fazl recalled that at around 10:30pm, DPM/FM Ishaq Dar had telephoned him to say that the cabinet was not agreeing to the proposed course of action. He said he had tried to help resolve the matter peacefully and prevent bloodshed.

Criticising the government's handling of constitutional and political matters, the JUI-F chief alleged that the Constitution had been misused and that the transfer of power had been facilitated through force. He also accused the government of disregarding Article 2A and taking an undemocratic step.

Questioning the government's ability to maintain law and order, Fazl asked whether conditions in Balochistan were any better, pointing to incidents in which even commissioners had been abducted. He also referred to reports that the son of the Khan of Kalat had been kidnapped.

The JUI-F chief said his party had made sacrifices and lost workers, rejecting what he described as attempts to ridicule those sacrifices. He warned that resorting to force would only aggravate the situation, arguing that violence was a path historically associated with despotic rulers.

Fazl recalled that he had "averted political confrontation", saying he had stood on the front foot during difficult times and worked to prevent bloodshed. He lamented that there was "no democracy, constitutional supremacy or rule of law in the country".

"I invite you to sit at one table and establish a new Charter of Democracy," he said, adding that the proposed agreement should bring both the government and opposition together to protect the country from unconstitutional actions and violence.

During the speech, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said he would allow Fazl to continue but would expunge any unparliamentary remarks from the proceedings. The speaker subsequently removed a sentence from the JUI-F chief's speech.

Fazl also took a swipe at Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, questioning the government's role in talks related to Makkah pact held in Tehran while the prime minister and defence minister were in Pakistan.

He stressed the importance of maintaining the country's dignity and national standing.

He urged the government and opposition to recognise the gravity of the situation and work towards a political settlement, saying the country could not afford further confrontation.

 

PTI weighs CoD proposal

The PTI started consultations on Fazl's proposal for a new CoD, as opposition parties step up efforts to forge a joint political platform.

Following a meeting between Fazl and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas in Islamabad, opposition leaders have also decided to convene an All-Parties Conference (APC), with Nov 9 and 10 under consideration as possible dates.

PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the government had failed on economic, administrative and governance fronts, making it necessary for opposition parties to join hands. He said the proposed APC was aimed at bringing the opposition together.

Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said Fazl had proposed a CoD and its terms would be formulated through consultations. He stressed the need for peace in the country, saying all stakeholders would have to be taken on board to achieve that objective.

Meanwhile, a joint meeting of the PTI's parliamentary party continued for around eight hours on Tuesday, with nearly 70 members of the National Assembly and senators in attendance.

The meeting expressed unanimous confidence in the party leadership and appreciated the role of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the parliamentary party strongly condemned the imposition of governor's rule and emergency measures in K-P. He added that the party had decided to play an active role in filling the political vacuum created by governor's rule.

The PTI maintained that the creation of new provinces or the division of existing ones should be decided in accordance with the will of the people and through national consensus.