Islamabad Filled with Containers, People Being Denied Right to Protest: Fazlur Rehman

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has expressed concern over the country’s political and security situation, alleging that Islamabad has been filled with containers and people are being denied their right to protest.

Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, Fazlur Rehman said the country was facing serious internal security challenges. He claimed that a “rule of dacoits” prevailed in Sindh, while banks were being looted in broad daylight in Balochistan, but an effective system to prevent such incidents was not visible.

He said a JUI meeting was held in Peshawar, where the party reviewed the country’s internal situation as well as developments in the region and finalized its position on various issues.

The JUI-F chief said growing insecurity had reached such a level that a party meeting originally scheduled for Karachi had to be shifted to Peshawar because members travelling from Balochistan faced difficulties.

Fazlur Rehman alleged that powerful institutions were effectively running the country and appeared to be operating without being bound by law, the Constitution or ethical standards.

He said the previous government had been criticized over the country’s rising debt, but the debt burden had now increased further, while inflation had also risen significantly and the public was facing severe difficulties.

The JUI-F chief alleged that the rulers were unwilling to listen to the people or understand their problems, while force was being used indiscriminately and citizens were being denied the right to protest.

He said that after some political parties announced protests, Islamabad was filled with containers to prevent demonstrations.

Fazlur Rehman also claimed that ministers were being picked up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, banks were being robbed in broad daylight in Balochistan and dacoits were operating in Sindh. He further said Senator Shakur Khan had allegedly been stopped at an airport from travelling to China.

He warned that such measures could push people towards rebellion and called for effective steps to restore law and order, ensure the supremacy of the Constitution and law, and protect the fundamental rights of citizens.