Caretaker set-up: JUI-F left out in interim govt talks, says Fazl
Party leader says PML-N, PPP should take other political stakeholders into confidence.
PESHAWAR:
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) should take other political parties into confidence while deciding on a caretaker government.
He said this on Sunday while talking to reporters after a party meeting convened to discuss issues in the tribal areas. Speaking from JUI-F’s provincial headquarters, Fazl said both parties are taking decisions unilaterally.
The PPP and PML-N met on September 5 for the first round of deliberations over the caretaker set-up. Federal Minister Khursheed Shah led the talks from the PPP’s side, while Senator Ishaq Dar represented the PML-N in the Murree meeting. However, no formal agreement has been reached so far.
He added that no excuses should be made to postpone the upcoming elections.
Restoring the MMA
The restoration of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) remains uncertain, he said adding that the Jamaat-i-Islami has opted out of a meeting of religious parties scheduled for September 13. The meeting was being arranged by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) in Lahore.
“It is evident who is blocking the restoration of the religious alliance,” he said.
“People are fed up of the ANP’s policies and will vote for the JUI-F in the next elections,” he said, adding that making alliances with the ANP is out of question.
Foreign affairs
Once again, Fazl demanded that the Pakistan military stop drone attacks, adding that US’ policies are responsible for breeding terrorists.
Commenting on the Indian foreign minister’s visit, he said that his party will wait for the government’s response over any agreement with India. He added that the dialogue should not be based on the Mumbai attacks and that other issues should be discussed as well.
Local government ordinance
“JUI-F was the only party that opposed (former president) Pervez Musharraf’s local government system,” he said.
The JUI-F has also decided to contact other parties to discuss the future of the tribal areas. A team will visit all tribal agencies to solicit the views of tribal elders and religious leaders over the region’s future.
“Unless there is peace in the tribal areas, tribesmen will reject any decisions imposed on them from Peshawar and Islamabad,” Fazl said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2012.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) should take other political parties into confidence while deciding on a caretaker government.
He said this on Sunday while talking to reporters after a party meeting convened to discuss issues in the tribal areas. Speaking from JUI-F’s provincial headquarters, Fazl said both parties are taking decisions unilaterally.
The PPP and PML-N met on September 5 for the first round of deliberations over the caretaker set-up. Federal Minister Khursheed Shah led the talks from the PPP’s side, while Senator Ishaq Dar represented the PML-N in the Murree meeting. However, no formal agreement has been reached so far.
He added that no excuses should be made to postpone the upcoming elections.
Restoring the MMA
The restoration of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) remains uncertain, he said adding that the Jamaat-i-Islami has opted out of a meeting of religious parties scheduled for September 13. The meeting was being arranged by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) in Lahore.
“It is evident who is blocking the restoration of the religious alliance,” he said.
“People are fed up of the ANP’s policies and will vote for the JUI-F in the next elections,” he said, adding that making alliances with the ANP is out of question.
Foreign affairs
Once again, Fazl demanded that the Pakistan military stop drone attacks, adding that US’ policies are responsible for breeding terrorists.
Commenting on the Indian foreign minister’s visit, he said that his party will wait for the government’s response over any agreement with India. He added that the dialogue should not be based on the Mumbai attacks and that other issues should be discussed as well.
Local government ordinance
“JUI-F was the only party that opposed (former president) Pervez Musharraf’s local government system,” he said.
The JUI-F has also decided to contact other parties to discuss the future of the tribal areas. A team will visit all tribal agencies to solicit the views of tribal elders and religious leaders over the region’s future.
“Unless there is peace in the tribal areas, tribesmen will reject any decisions imposed on them from Peshawar and Islamabad,” Fazl said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2012.