ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly opposed the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying his party will formulate a comprehensive political strategy to resist the decision.
“If an emergency is to be imposed, then impose it in the federal government,” Fazl said, criticising the proposal and questioning the government’s justification for taking such a step in the province.
Speaking about his contact with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the JUI-F chief said Dar had telephoned him at around 10:30pm to discuss the proposed imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in KP.
According to Fazl, Dar argued that the provincial government was not cooperating in the fight against terrorism.
Fazl, however, maintained that the situations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were not identical. He questioned why an emergency was not being imposed in Balochistan if the government considered such a measure necessary in KP.
Questions raised over counterterrorism strategy The JUI-F chief also criticised the government’s counterterrorism policy, arguing that repeated military operations had failed to deliver the desired results.
He said he had been asked to support the operations but wanted the government to explain what they had achieved so far.
Fazl stressed that his party had also suffered losses in the fight against terrorism, including the killing of religious scholars, and said its sacrifices should not be overlooked.
He further accused the government of failing to honour its commitments, claiming that assurances had been given but not implemented.
Criticising the Pakistan Peoples Party, Fazl alleged that its actions had undermined constitutional principles and human rights. He also described the repeated imposition of governor’s rule as contrary to democratic values.
Fazl reveals contacts with PTI leaders
The JUI-F chief also disclosed that he had participated in a conference call with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders Sohail Afridi, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Asad Qaiser.
According to Fazl, he had informed the relevant leadership that a proposed long march could be called off if the protesters’ demands were accepted.
He said discussions had also taken place with the prime minister, during which he proposed resolving issues concerning a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan and arrangements for his medical treatment.
Fazl said the prime minister had agreed to the suggestion, following which he conveyed the development to PTI leadership.
JUI-F vows resistance
Discussing his role in facilitating dialogue, Fazl said a mediator was expected to intervene when disagreements or tensions arose between opposing sides.
However, he maintained that commitments made by the government had not been fulfilled.
Reiterating his party’s position, Fazl said JUI-F would not accept the imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and would develop a political response at the party level.
His remarks add to the political debate surrounding the federal government’s decision on the province, with questions over provincial authority, counterterrorism policy and the constitutional implications of emergency measures likely to remain central to the discussion.