Fazlur Rehman Says He Will Never Surrender, Levels Fresh Criticism at State Policies
Islamabad: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman declared that he would never surrender in the face of political pressure, while delivering a strongly worded speech at a Lawyers’ Convention organized by the JUI Lawyers Forum in Islamabad.
Addressing lawyers and party supporters, Fazlur Rehman said he had merely expressed disagreement with government and state policies and accused his critics of misrepresenting his remarks in an attempt to damage his reputation. “I was not raised to surrender,” he said, adding that officials responsible for what he described as propaganda against him should apologize.
The JUI-F leader said his party had always remained within the framework of the Constitution and the law and had pursued democratic politics rather than extremism. He accused the current leadership of weakening Parliament and constitutional institutions while strengthening unelected centers of power through political appeasement.
Fazlur Rehman also criticized security and governance policies, alleging growing mistrust between law enforcement agencies and the military in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He questioned calls for the public to form armed groups, referring to the experience of East Pakistan and warning against repeating what he described as past mistakes.
He further alleged that the sacrifices of martyrs were being used for political purposes and claimed that state resources were being directed toward consolidating political control rather than addressing national challenges. He also repeated allegations of electoral rigging, saying his party had rejected invitations to join coalition governments in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because it would not participate in what he described as governments formed through manipulated political processes.
The remarks reflect Fazlur Rehman’s political views and allegations. His claims regarding election rigging, state policies, and other matters have been disputed by the relevant authorities, and no official response to his latest speech was immediately available.
