Maulana Fazlur Rehman Announces Protest Movement from Mardan on April 12 Over Rising Fuel Prices

Peshawar – Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly criticized the government over rising petroleum prices, announcing the launch of a protest movement starting from Mardan on April 12.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the recent increase in fuel prices has “shaken the public” and deprived the common man of peace. He added that people are deeply dissatisfied with the current government and state institutions.

Fazlur Rehman stated that the decision to protest was made during a meeting of the party’s central Majlis-e-Shura, where both national and international situations were reviewed. He said the party would stage protests next Friday against government policies, followed by a full-scale movement beginning April 12.

He accused the government of introducing laws that he claimed were against Shariah, including legislation related to domestic issues, and alleged that un-Islamic laws were being brought to parliament. He also termed the current government “illegitimate” and claimed it was surviving with the support of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Commenting on the global situation, Fazlur Rehman said both western and eastern borders were effectively closed, affecting trade, while the burden of rising oil prices was being passed on to the public. He urged the government to take parliament into confidence through in-camera briefings regarding Pakistan’s position in the current global scenario.

He further expressed concern over deteriorating law and order conditions, accusing the provincial government of adopting contradictory policies on security operations. He also noted that recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology were not being presented in the assembly.

The JUI-F chief concluded by saying that public frustration with the government and state institutions was growing, warning that the current setup may not last long.