JUI Condemns Government Over Ordinance Issued Without President’s Signature, Calls It “Mockery of Democracy

Lahore: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) has strongly criticized the government for issuing an ordinance without the President’s approval, terming it a “blatant act of governmental deceit and an insult to democracy.”

JUI Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman met with the party’s General Secretary Hafiz Abdul Rehman to discuss the country’s political situation. Party leaders including Maulana Fazil Osmani, Maulana Maqsood Elwari, Hafiz Zain-ul-Abidin, Salman Arif, and Muhammad Shahid were also present.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that pressure on religious seminaries is part of an external agenda, which the party rejects, urging the government to respect and honor religious institutions.

JUI spokesperson Aslam Ghori condemned the ordinance, saying that issuing it without the President’s signature demonstrates government trickery and disrespects the office of the President, Parliament, politicians, and democratic norms. He criticized the government for prioritizing short-term power over the constitution and the public, and accused the current rulers of being focused solely on protecting their positions.

The ordinance, issued without presidential approval, was withdrawn following protests by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).