Pakistan’s prominent right-wing Islamic leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, surprised onlookers when he spoke in support of his erstwhile rival, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the National Assembly on Monday. Rehman, the chief of his faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), fiercely criticized the powerful establishment for allegedly manipulating the political system. “It is the right of the PTI to hold a rally,” he affirmed. “We also objected to the 2018 election and we object to this (February 8 polls) one too. If the 2018 poll was rigged, why is the current one not rigged?” he questioned.
Rehman’s speech was sparked by PTI leader Asad Qaiser’s demand for the party’s right to organize a rally. “The demand of Asad Qaiser is correct, and it is the right of PTI to hold a rally,” Rehman stated.
He further urged the ruling coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan Peoples Party to allow the PTI to form the government if they have the majority in parliament. “Leave this power. Come and sit here [on the opposition benches], and if the PTI is indeed the larger group, then give them the government,” he suggested.
Expressing his dismay over the role of the establishment and bureaucracy in elections and governance, Rehman asserted, “The establishment and bureaucracy had no role in achieving this country.” He alleged that the elections held on February 8 were flawed, saying, “What kind of election is this where the losers are not satisfied, and the winners are upset?”
Drawing comparisons with neighboring India, Rehman said, “Just compare India and ourselves… both countries got independence on the same day. But today they (India) are dreaming of becoming a superpower, and we are begging to avoid bankruptcy.”
He criticized the failure to implement recommendations from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), emphasizing the importance of upholding Islamic principles. “We got the country in the name of Islam, but today we have become a secular state. Since 1973, not a single recommendation of the CII has been implemented. How can we be an Islamic country?” he lamented.
Rehman’s support for the PTI has raised eyebrows, as the JUI-F was once the arch-rival of PTI and had played a key role in the ouster of Imran Khan. After Khan’s downfall, JUI-F became part of the coalition government but later parted ways with the PML-N and PPP, alleging that the polls were rigged to keep his party out of power.
Analysts believe that Rehman’s backing of the PTI is a strategic move to pressure the establishment and the government to secure a more significant share in the political arena.
