‘Illegitimate’ Government
MARDAN: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has reaffirmed his commitment to challenging what he calls an “illegitimate” government, vowing to continue his struggle through democratic means. He labeled February 8, 2024, as a dark day in Pakistan’s history, marking the anniversary of what he claims was a fraudulent election process.
Speaking to journalists in Mardan, Fazlur Rehman criticized the current government, accusing it of coming into power through massive electoral fraud. Citing reports of widespread irregularities in the 2024 general elections, he stated that they were the most rigged elections in the country’s history. “Today is a dark day as [on this day] the government was established on the basis of rigging,” he remarked, emphasizing that the will of the people was disregarded in favor of political engineering.
The JUI-F chief went on to accuse the government of depriving the people, especially the poor, of their fundamental rights.
He dismissed official claims of economic stability, warning that inflation was set to rise further in the coming year while the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would likely continue its downward trend.
According to Fazl, the current administration has failed to address the economic concerns of the masses, further exacerbating their hardships.
Highlighting his party’s legislative efforts, Fazlur Rehman asserted that JUI-F fought single-handedly for the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which, according to him, is crucial in protecting the Constitution, parliament, and citizens’ rights. “We have joined the opposition in the assemblies because we believe in fighting for the people’s rights,” he stated. “No one has the right to violate the rights of the people.”
Additionally, the JUI-F leader expressed concerns over what he called unnecessary delays in the implementation of the Madaris Act in various provinces. He urged the government to take swift action in ensuring fair regulations for religious seminaries.
Fazl also reiterated his long-standing claim that the election process was deliberately manipulated to install a specific government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He maintained that the people’s mandate was stolen, undermining the democratic process.
Despite his strong criticism of the government, Fazlur Rehman stressed the need for dialogue over political confrontation to resolve national issues.
He called for meaningful discussions to address the country’s ongoing political and economic crises, emphasizing that conflict and division would only further destabilize Pakistan.
