Army Should Stay Out of Politics, Current Government Is Fake, Says Maulana Fazlur Rehman

PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly criticised the government, the establishment and the security situation in the country, saying the army should not interfere in politics and that the current government is “fake.”

Addressing a JUI-F workers’ convention in Peshawar, Fazlur Rehman claimed that a minority was ruling the country and that the government had lost its legitimacy. He also said the law and order situation had deteriorated to such an extent that the writ of the government had effectively disappeared.

Addressing the powerful circles, the JUI-F chief said his party did not oppose the country having a strong defence, but the military should stay within its constitutional role.

Speaking directly to the army chief, he said that while the army chief was also the field marshal, constitutional limits had to be respected. “Does being powerful mean you can do whatever you want? That will not work,” he said, calling for a change in the state’s approach.

Referring to the events of 1971, Fazlur Rehman said that a day before the surrender, it had been announced that the forces would fight, but the following day they surrendered.

He also criticised the Defence Forces Act, alleging that it was passed in haste and had concentrated the powers of the establishment, navy, air force and federal government in the hands of one individual through Parliament. He said the people were the real source of power and the army was only one institution of the state.

Criticism of Situation in Balochistan

Speaking about Balochistan, Fazlur Rehman alleged that respected figures from the province had been summoned and subjected to humiliating treatment, while people with little standing were being imposed over them.

He said terrorist attacks had occurred in areas including Hanna Urak near Quetta Cantonment and Ziarat, while the Quetta-Karachi highway had become unsafe. He added that travelling alone by car in Balochistan had become extremely difficult.

“There is bloodshed in Baloch areas and war in Pashtun areas. At least give us peace on peaceful ground,” he said.

Questioning speculation about the creation of new provinces, Fazlur Rehman asked whether the purpose of dividing provinces was to gain control over their natural resources.

Criticism of Shehbaz Sharif and Mohsin Naqvi

Fazlur Rehman also criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Addressing the prime minister, he said Pakistan’s land was “red with blood” while the prime minister travelled abroad to receive red-carpet receptions.

Referring to Naqvi as a “sparrow,” he questioned claims that Balochistan could be controlled by a police officer and challenged the authorities to examine the condition of police stations, where, he alleged, the chain of command had broken down.

The JUI-F chief also referred to the ongoing protest in Kashmir, saying demonstrators had been holding a sit-in for three months without receiving a response from the authorities.

He said the country was facing a situation in which “the house is on fire” while discussions were being held about dividing it.

Fazlur Rehman further alleged that an atmosphere of coercion prevailed in the country, stressing that Islam did not permit a nation to be imposed upon through force.

Opposition Alliance and Defence Agreements

Regarding the opposition alliance, Fazlur Rehman said he had told the opposition leader that their objectives could not be achieved if they remained divided.

He said this was why a joint opposition alliance had been formed and cooperation established with PTI in Parliament.

At the conclusion of his address, Fazlur Rehman said he fully supported defence agreements with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.