Fazl Observes System Crumbling Amid Establishment Interference

JUI-F President Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed concerns on Tuesday, asserting that the country’s “system would collapse” due to the interference of the establishment, which allegedly desires a government aligned with its preferences. Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar alongside other party leaders, Fazl stated, “The establishment wants people of its choice in assemblies.” He claimed that prior to the elections, information was received indicating a decision to diminish JUI-F’s presence in the assemblies, and he highlighted various forms of rigging observed in polling stations during the electoral process.

Emphasizing the continuity of his narrative, Fazl argued that if there was no rigging, then the narrative presented on May 9, implying electoral malpractice, is still relevant. He expressed a lack of distinction between the alleged rigging in the 2018 and 2024 general elections, advocating that elected representatives should not serve as mere extensions of the establishment.

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Despite the shared skepticism on election rigging, Fazl asserted that there is no threat to the parliamentary system of the country. Drawing attention to the recent closeness between political rivals due to claims of election rigging, Fazl suggested that if PTI candidates secured the majority of seats, the party should be given the opportunity to form the government. Additionally, he cautioned against involving foreign institutions in the internal affairs of Pakistan and criticized any attempts to invite foreign interference.

Fazl highlighted the JUI-F’s willingness to engage in dialogue if other parties were serious about addressing their concerns, noting that his party had accorded respect to the PTI’s delegation in line with political traditions. Referencing the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a multi-party alliance that ousted former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022 through a parliamentary vote, Fazl criticized the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan, expressing a lack of joy over any politician’s detention.

The JUI-F leader announced his party’s decision to abstain from participating in the upcoming presidential elections, as well as elections for the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the opposition leader. He reiterated that the JUI-F, previously allied with PML-N and PPP, would not become part of any government at the federal or provincial levels. Responding to a question, Fazl mentioned that while they do not view the governorship as a significant political portfolio, his party has not considered accepting such an offer thus far.

In the preliminary results of the February 8 nationwide polls, the JUI-F secured five National Assembly seats and 18 provincial assembly seats collectively in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.