ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has welcomed the decision of the Public Action Committee to postpone its planned march toward Muzaffarabad, saying the move was a positive step.
Addressing the National Assembly, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he had responded to the committee’s letter through a video message and had also informed the government about the matter.
Questioning the state’s response to public speeches, he asked how action based solely on speeches could be considered an appropriate reaction. He said that until recently, Pakistan had spoken about human rights in Indian-administered Kashmir, and questioned what message was now being conveyed through current actions.
The JUI-F chief also criticized Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s recent remarks, saying such comments should not have been made in his capacity as defence minister. Referring to differing approaches within the government, he remarked that conflict appeared to have been entrusted to Khawaja Asif while reconciliation had been left to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that while the government was earning recognition internationally for promoting global peace, it was losing goodwill within Pakistan. He warned that statements like those made by Khawaja Asif could increase tensions and urged the government not to force the opposition into confrontation.
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Highlighting his party’s political strength, he said JUI-F had gathered hundreds of thousands of people at a public meeting in Charsadda and challenged the ruling party to demonstrate a similar show of support.
The JUI-F leader further said that Pakistan’s military should remain focused on defending the country’s borders, but alleged that it was being used within the country. He stressed that his party respected the establishment and all state institutions, but said that if election results were altered, his party would respond. Likewise, he said, if institutions entered politics, they would receive a political response.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that his party would not remain silent, saying, “We are not mute and we will not become silent spectators.” He added that if institutions used taxpayers’ money for political purposes, the matter would be raised and challenged on the floor of the National Assembly.
