Amidst hopes for a potential political agreement with their long-standing adversary, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Khan Marwat directed his party members not to use derogatory slogans against the JUI-F during a rally in Pishin.
After years of trading personal insults, there appears to be a thaw in the relationship between the JUI-F and PTI, highlighting the unpredictable nature of politics. Previously, PTI supporters, including its founder Imran Khan, would mock JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman by calling him “diesel,” while the JUI-F would label Khan as a “Jewish” or “Western” agent.
However, following mutual allegations of election rigging in the February 8 general elections, relations between the two parties have swiftly improved. They have engaged in discussions and even held an “icebreaker” meeting to address the alleged rigging, although they have yet to agree on a joint protest strategy against the government.
Speaking at the joint opposition rally in Balochistan’s Pishin, Marwat urged participants not to use derogatory slogans against the JUI-F chief, citing ongoing talks with them. He also criticized the current government, highlighting the imprisonment of Imran Khan for the past 8 months in what he described as “illegal” cases and alleging a character assassination campaign against Khan and his wife.
Earlier discussions within the opposition parties have centered on the potential inclusion of the JUI-F in a broader opposition alliance, with a meeting scheduled for Saturday to address this issue. The PTI had recently formed an opposition alliance to challenge the incumbent government.
With the recent rally in Pishin, the PTI, as part of the broader opposition coalition, launched a protest movement against alleged election rigging and for the “restoration of the Constitution and democracy” in Pakistan.
