Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Brother Accepts Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM’s Election Challenge

Peshawar – Engineer Zia-ur-Rehman, the younger brother of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has accepted the challenge posed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to contest elections against him.

In a video message released on social media, Zia-ur-Rehman declared, “Ali Amin Gandapur, your challenge is accepted. You are not in a position to challenge Maulana Fazlur Rehman. First, you should compete with the son of the late Mufti Mahmood,” a reference to Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s late father, a prominent political figure.

Zia-ur-Rehman further added, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman had already ousted your leader from the seat of power. Now, if you want to challenge, make your brother resign and then bring him to contest against me.”

He also referenced a previous statement he made in Dera Ismail Khan, saying, “I had stood in the middle of the square and said that if a DNA test is done, it will be revealed that you are not a true Gandapur. Gandapurs are brave and honorable, but you are not one of them.”

Zia-ur-Rehman’s comments seem to target Ali Amin Gandapur’s credibility, questioning both his lineage and political standing. He suggested that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM’s recent statements reflect his growing political vulnerability, indicating that “his time is up.”

This challenge comes in response to Ali Amin Gandapur’s press conference on Sunday, where the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM had openly dared Maulana Fazlur Rehman to contest elections in Dera Ismail Khan. Gandapur promised to resign from his position as Chief Minister if Maulana Fazlur Rehman won the election in his constituency.

The verbal sparring between the two political figures has further intensified the already heated political climate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.