Barrister Aqeel Malik Sees Similarities Between Fazlur Rehman’s and TTP’s Statements on Governor’s Rule
ISLAMABAD:Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik has claimed that there are considerable similarities between Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statements and the narrative of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) regarding governor’s rule and the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Speaking on Geo News, Malik said he saw little difference between the positions expressed by Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the TTP on the issue, adding that their statements regarding governor’s rule and emergency measures had considerable similarities.
Discussing the political background, the minister alleged that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had long sought a political role for his party in the governor’s office. He claimed that the JUI-F chief had hoped that someone from his party would be appointed governor and expected to secure a share in the political setup following the imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency.
Malik said senior members of his party who had been involved in negotiations had received indications that Maulana Fazlur Rehman wanted a member of his party to be appointed governor. He also referred to the JUI-F chief’s family connections with the governor’s office.
The minister further said that Pakistan’s armed forces, police, Frontier Corps (FC) and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to make sacrifices in the fight against the TTP and what the government calls Fitna al-Khawarij.
He pointed out that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had previously stated on the floor of Parliament that he could not visit his constituency at night because of security concerns.
Malik questioned the JUI-F chief’s position on governor’s rule and emergency measures, arguing that his recent statements were similar to those issued by the TTP on the same subject.
The minister described such statements as regrettable, attributing them to Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s distance from the government benches.
His remarks come amid continuing political debate over the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with opposition figures raising concerns about the provincial government’s mandate and the implications of federal intervention.
