Fazlur Rehman Challenges PML-N over Formation of PTI Government in KP in 2013

LAHORE:Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has challenged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to clarify its allegations against him regarding the formation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2013.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Fazlur Rehman said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had publicly acknowledged during rallies that he had advised the PML-N in 2013 to form a government and block PTI’s path to power, but the advice had not been accepted.

“If you did not accept that advice, then you were responsible for allowing PTI to form the government in 2013. Why are you now blaming Fazlur Rehman?” he asked.

The JUI-F chief said the PML-N should clarify whether its criticism was directed at PTI as a party or at the current Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

He pointed out that several former and current political figures, including Pervez Khattak, Mahmood Khan, Usman Buzdar and Ali Amin Gandapur, had been associated with PTI-led governments. He argued that these leaders had also been part of the political arrangements created during different periods.

Fazlur Rehman further challenged the PML-N leadership to produce statements in which he had criticised the armed forces, asking who had previously referred to the military as the “Department of Agriculture” and who had mentioned former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during public rallies.

He said statements made by Maryam Nawaz about the military during that period should also be brought into the discussion.

### JUI-F Defends Its Criticism of Government Policies

Addressing allegations that his party’s statements undermined the sacrifices of security personnel, Fazlur Rehman said approximately 250 JUI-F religious scholars and workers had been killed during years of terrorism.

He said portraying his party’s position as disrespectful towards the sacrifices of the armed forces and other security institutions was unfair, adding that JUI-F had also suffered significant losses because of terrorism.

The JUI-F chief maintained that his party was criticising government policies rather than mocking the sacrifices of security personnel.

He argued that political parties had the right to question government decisions and demand corrective measures in the interest of national security and public welfare.

“If they do not like such discussions, we also have no desire to start debates that could make the sacrifices of our own soldiers and institutions controversial,” he said.

Fazlur Rehman urged the government to convene an in-camera session of Parliament to review the country’s security situation and assess the challenges confronting Pakistan.

He questioned why the country had not achieved the desired results on various security fronts despite repeated policy measures, arguing that the situation appeared to be deteriorating rather than improving.

The JUI-F chief said the government and state institutions should act responsibly and avoid ridiculing citizens and political leaders for raising questions about public policy.

He stressed that constructive criticism was necessary to identify mistakes, review existing strategies and improve the country’s overall security situation.