On Saturday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), expressed his opposition to the arrest of political workers, stating that such actions undermine democratic principles. Speaking to the media in Multan, he remarked, “Arresting any political worker contradicts democratic norms. There are flaws in every aspect of our system.”
Fazlur Rehman mentioned that he has not been in contact with other political leaders regarding ongoing discussions. He began his speech by thanking the audience for the invitation and lamented the country’s ongoing political and economic challenges, noting the absence of a stable environment.
Addressing constitutional issues, he asserted that efforts have been made to create a constitutional crisis, emphasizing the need for adherence to the constitution. “Every institution must operate within its boundaries to help restore the country,” he stated.
Discussing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif, Rehman indicated that important matters had already been discussed with him. He highlighted widespread issues such as inflation, law enforcement, and unemployment.
Constitutional Amendments and Judicial Reforms
Earlier on Friday, Rehman called for constitutional amendments aimed at judicial reform. He claimed that while his party had proposed reforms, government representatives insisted on withdrawing proposals concerning judges and their tenure. Rehman requested to see the draft of these amendments, but the government was unprepared to provide it.
He insisted that any amendments should not be made with personal considerations in mind. “The situation in Islamabad is critical, and it’s more important to focus on judicial reforms than on individual personalities,” he remarked.
Rehman explained that both his party and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) received only one copy of the draft, raising doubts about whether they were identical. He noted that essential chapters of the constitution have been constrained, lamenting a political culture dominated by compromise.
He affirmed JUI-F’s commitment to ideological politics and highlighted the need for a constitutional court to expedite justice, particularly for the thousands of cases currently pending in the judiciary. “The establishment of such a court has been part of the charter of democracy,” he concluded.
