Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, criticized Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent trip to China, labeling it a failure.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Rehman asserted that both the prime minister and the army had not succeeded in securing positive outcomes from the visit. He pointed to concerns expressed by Chinese officials regarding instability and security challenges in Pakistan.
Rehman also lambasted the government’s handling of the annual budget, arguing that it failed to shield any sector or income group from its impact.
“Every government claims its budget is people-friendly and beneficial for national development, but in reality, it fails to safeguard any sector, salary, class, or income group,” he remarked.
He questioned the rationale behind citizens paying taxes to a government he claimed lacked public trust. “Why should people pay taxes when they know their earnings will merely go towards repaying loans and interest to the World Bank and IMF? People will not pay taxes to fill the coffers of international institutions,” Rehman emphasized.
Regarding the country’s economic condition, Rehman highlighted its precarious state, stating, “Despite government assertions, Pakistan is on the brink of bankruptcy. Over 75 years, successive administrations have brought us to this juncture.”
Rehman also voiced reservations about potential new military operations, recalling the region’s history of violence since 2010. He criticized former Chief of Army Staff Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa’s assurances that border fencing would prevent terrorist incursions, pointing out ongoing challenges in areas like Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, and Bannu.
Overall, Rehman’s comments underscore his profound dissatisfaction with the government’s policies and actions, particularly in economic management and national security.
