Larkana: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned that the government’s attempt to approve clauses previously withdrawn during the 26th Constitutional Amendment, as well as objections to the agreed-upon draft for religious seminaries, could lead to serious challenges.
Speaking to the media in Larkana, Maulana Fazlur Rehman highlighted the prevailing lawlessness in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He condemned the recent violent incidents in Islamabad and questioned how PTI protesters managed to reach D-Chowk despite tight security arrangements.
“The path forward always comes through dialogue,” he said, adding, “If one side insists on keeping someone in jail and the other insists on securing their release, the result will be nothing but anarchy.”
Commenting on the current political climate, Maulana Fazlur Rehman attributed the unrest to the upcoming February 8 elections. He emphasized the need for institutions to remain neutral in the electoral process, stating, “Only then will the public find peace.”
When asked about the pending bill on religious seminaries, Maulana Fazlur Rehman pointed out that President Asif Zardari has yet to sign it. “If the bill isn’t signed by tomorrow, we will discuss it in our upcoming conference,” he warned.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the government for backtracking on 26 out of 56 clauses of the 26th Amendment and later attempting to legislate them through an act that contradicts both the constitutional spirit and the essence of the amendment.
He elaborated on the consensus reached during the PDM government, particularly in the presence of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). “We held a five-hour meeting at Bilawal House and another five-hour session at Nawaz Sharif’s residence in Lahore to finalize the draft for religious seminaries. Now, raising objections on it is not a simple matter—it could turn into a significant problem for them,” he warned.
Concluding his remarks, Maulana Fazlur Rehman indicated that further details will be shared in his next public statement.
