The opposition’s reaction: Protests are an attempt to weaken democracy says Fazl

JUI-F holds its own rally against PTI, PAT sit-ins in Islamabad.

PESHAWAR:

“Even if the 2013 polls had been rigged, the issue could have been solved either through an independent investigation of a judicial commission formed under the Supreme Court or electoral reforms in the country.” This was said by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief on Sunday as he addressed a large rally held in Khyber Bazaar against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) sit-ins.

“The protests have not been against rigging in the 2013 election; the main aim is to weaken democratic system,” said Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He added the government would have accepted PTI’s demand if the judicial commission would have established that the ballots were tampered with.

The JUI-F chief termed the various demands of PTI as “childish”, adding that as soon as the government accepts one of the party’s demands it comes up with another.

“Any demands made should be within the ambit of the Constitution,” insisted Fazl.

He urged PTI chief Imran Khan to first obtain resignations from his party’s lawmakers and then demand the same from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The leader also lashed out at PAT chief Tahirul Qadri, saying these protests are being used by the West to foment unrest in Pakistan.

“The right to protest is a democratic right of people, but PTI and PAT have gone back on their word on 17 occasions over the past 17 days,” said Fazl.

Commenting on Saturday night’s violent clashes between both sets of party workers and the police in front of Parliament House, Fazl said the actions of the protesters were equivalent to rebellion against the Constitution. “The sanctity of the Parliament was violated last night,” he said.

He accused Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri of using women and children as human shields during the protest.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government coalition partner Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was also not spared by the JUI-F chief. Fazl urged the JI leadership to reconsider its stance of standing beside Khan’s party.

Talking about the economic impact of the nearly two-week-long protests, Fazl said the economy had taken a hard hit and the price of the US dollar has gone up to Rs104 from its earlier price of Rs98.

JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan also addressed the gathering which was attended by a large number of JUI-F workers from across the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2014.