“Give Us Half the Budget and We Will Protect Ourselves” – JUI-F Leader Hafiz Hamdullah Rejects Pushing Public into War on Terror
QUETTA – Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah has expressed serious concern over the country’s law and order situation, questioning why the public is being dragged into the fight against terrorism when maintaining peace is the fundamental responsibility of the state and government.
In a statement, Hafiz Hamdullah said: “Why should the public fight? Why don’t you fight? Give us half the budget – then see how we protect ourselves.” He made these remarks during a conversation yesterday.
Hamdullah emphasized that the public is already suffering from insecurity, inflation, and economic hardships, and it is inappropriate to push them directly into the war against terrorism under such circumstances. He stressed that establishing lasting peace requires more than just the use of force – effective measures must also be taken at political, economic, and administrative levels.
He called for steps that would restore public trust in state institutions and resolve issues through political and administrative means. “The public should be provided with basic facilities, resources, and authority so they can play an effective role in the development and improvement of their areas,” he said. Without good governance, provision of justice, and economic opportunities, sustainable peace cannot be achieved, he added.
The JUI-F leader reiterated that the protection of citizens’ lives and property is the primary responsibility of the state, and the government should adopt an effective strategy to maintain law and order while ensuring public safety. He emphasized that while cooperation between state institutions, political leadership, and the public is essential to eliminate terrorism, the public should not be forced to bear an extraordinary burden for their own protection.
