Maulana Fazlur Rehman Criticizes Power Enhancement Through Polls
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), did not hold back in expressing his serious concerns over what he believes to be the “stealing of the public mandate” in the general elections. In a press conference on Wednesday, he made it clear that he sees the recent elections as even more rigged than the controversial 2018 polls.
Rehman’s Criticisms and Concerns
Rehman did not mince words when he criticized institutions for allegedly manipulating election outcomes to consolidate their power. Pointing to the recent Balochistan by-election for provincial constituency PB-45 (Quetta-8) as a prime example of election rigging, Rehman highlighted how the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate was declared the winner by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), sparking a wheel-jam strike in Balochistan led by JUI-F.
According to Rehman, these actions by institutions to manipulate election results only serve to strengthen their authority. He emphasized that political compromises are often made in the pursuit of power, allowing authoritarian forces to grow stronger due to politicians’ perceived weaknesses.
Rehman’s Call for Change
Warning against institutions exceeding their Constitutional limits, Rehman stressed the importance of all bodies remaining within their prescribed frameworks. He further criticized the current state of Parliament as ineffective and called for fresh elections to rectify the perceived injustices. Questioning the acceptance of a rigged election, Rehman posed the simple yet powerful question: “If elections can be rigged, why not hold early elections?”
Support for Negotiations and Dialogue
In response to queries regarding the ongoing negotiations between the ruling coalition and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Rehman expressed his support for the dialogue. As a seasoned politician, he highlighted the importance of negotiation and expressed optimism for positive outcomes from the talks. Reiterating his belief that politicians should not face imprisonment, Rehman shared his desire for all issues to be resolved through peaceful dialogue.
Random Humanizing Touch:
Reflecting on my own experiences as a journalist covering political events, I can’t help but admire the unwavering courage of leaders like Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who fearlessly speak out against perceived injustices in our democratic processes. Their dedication to upholding democratic values serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in our political system.
