The rise and rise of Fazlur Rehman
Pakistan
His political career started when he became JUI-F chief in 1980 after death of his father
By Ahad Khan
Fazlur Rehman was born in Dera Ismail Khan on June 19, 1953 to an Islamic scholar-cum-politician Mufti Mehmood. He received his early education from Multan and Peshawar.
After doing his BA from Peshawar, Fazlur Rehman got admission to Cairo’s Al-Azhar University from where he received his master's degree.
Lesser known facts
1) Fazlur Rehman spent time in Darul Uloom Haqqania as a scholar.
2) Fazlur Rehman was the opposition leader in National Assembly from 2004-2007.
3) He was chairman of the standing committee for foreign affairs from 1993-96.
4) Fazlur Rehman was chairman of Kashmir Committee from 2008-2018.
Political Career
Fazlur Rehman became head of JUI-F in 1980 after his father's death. He contested from NA-18 Dera Ismail Khan in 1988 and remained successful. In 1990 elections, he contested from the same seat but didn't succeed this time.
In 1993, he became an MNA from NA-18 Dera Ismail Khan. He lost in 1997 elections.
In 2002 elections, he won from NA-24 Dera Ismail Khan. In 2008 elections, he lost from Dera Ismail Khan seat but remained successful from NA-26 Bannu. In 2013, he won from NA-25 Dera Ismail Khan.
In 2018, he lost from NA-38 and NA-39 Dera Ismail Khan.
Fazlur Rehman was in coalition with Musharraf during his initial years in the office. He was an ally in the PPP government of 2008 and the the PML-N govt of 2013. He remained a strong opponent of the PTI.
Election 2024
The JUI-F chief would contest for NA-265 Pishin where a generous PkMAP chief Mahmood Achakzai has withdrawn in his favour.
He is also contesting polls from his home seat of NA-44, Dera Ismail Khan where PTI's stout leader Ali Amin Gandapur is facing him.
In 2020, he was unanimously elected president of PDM, an 11-party coalition against then PTI govt. He also held a sit-in against the removal of the PTI government. The protest ended with guarantees from mediators.
In 2022, spearheading a campaign which ousted then PM through a vote of no-confidence, his party became a partner in PDM 16-month rule afterwards.
