Islamabad (The COW News Digital) Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has criticised the government’s use of constitutional powers and warned against political violence, declaring that Pakistan belongs to all its citizens, not to any soldier or general.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the country was facing worsening political tensions and urged the government and opposition to sit together and develop a new Charter of Democracy to protect the constitutional system.
“We are ready to die at your hands, but we are not ready to die at the hands of history,” he said, stressing that political leaders must consider their responsibilities to future generations.
Fazl described Parliament as a representative institution of the people and expressed concern that tolerance was declining while political disputes continued to intensify. He recalled discussions with political leaders and government representatives during preparations for a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march towards Islamabad.
According to Fazl, PTI colleagues had asked him to play a role in addressing the situation. He said subsequent meetings took place with government representatives, including Rana Sanaullah, followed by a conversation with the prime minister, who requested that the long march be called off.
Fazl also referred to a telephone call from Ishaq Dar at around 10:30pm, during which he was reportedly informed that the cabinet was not agreeing with the proposed approach. He said he had attempted to help resolve the dispute through dialogue and avoid bloodshed.
The JUI-F leader criticised the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arguing that constitutional provisions had been misused. He questioned the government’s approach to maintaining law and order and compared the situation with security challenges in Balochistan.
Fazl also raised concerns over reports of abductions in Balochistan, including an alleged incident involving the son of the Khan of Kalat. He questioned whether the federal government was succeeding in maintaining peace and security across the country.
Emphasising his party’s history of sacrifices, Fazl rejected what he described as the dismissal of his party’s contributions. He warned that resorting to force would deepen divisions rather than resolve political disagreements.
“If you choose the path of violence, that was the path taken by Pharaoh,” he said, calling on political leaders to avoid confrontation and pursue negotiations.
During the speech, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said he would allow Fazl to continue but would expunge unparliamentary language from the official proceedings. The speaker subsequently removed one sentence from the record.
Fazl further urged both government and opposition parties to participate in a new political agreement, saying the country needed a shared commitment to democracy, constitutional governance and the rule of law.
He also criticised the state of political alliances, saying the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had become divided. Addressing government lawmakers, he recalled his earlier efforts to prevent violence during periods of political uncertainty.
Toward the end of his address, Fazl questioned Pakistan’s diplomatic and defence-related engagements, referring to discussions taking place in Tehran and raising concerns about the country’s national dignity and sovereignty.
He concluded by reiterating that Pakistan belonged to all its people and should be protected from unconstitutional actions and political violence.
