Maulana blames politicians for making parliament irrelevant

LAHORE: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Wednesday said that the parliament has become meaningless due to the conduct of politicians. 

Talking to the media in Lahore, he said: “We have always demanded that governance should remain within constitutional limits. When these limits are violated, the constitution becomes ineffective, just as the parliament has become meaningless today”. 

Maulana reiterated his commitment to dialogue, saying that he had always supported negotiations, but emphasized that a conducive environment was necessary for their success.

He stressed that politicians should not be in jail and called for fair elections “free from rigging”.

Commenting on PTI’s demands, he said, “I do not know what exactly they want.”

The JUI-F chief urged all institutions and political parties to review their conduct if they had exceeded their limits, and maintained that political revenge should have no place in democracy. 

He also expressed concerns over the economic situation, saying that people were being forced to “leave their homes” due to worsening conditions. 

He also dismissed global political distractions, questioning why people were fixated on Donald Trump. 

Regarding Afghanistan, Maulana Fazl said the country was Pakistan’s brotherly neighbour and that both nations were inevitable to each other’s stability.

Afghanistan has gained more importance than usual for Pakistan as the country has intensified efforts to curb the menace of terrorism, which is often sponsored from across the border.

On Monday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir said that Pakistan has always sought good relations with Afghanistan but differences will persist until “the neighbouring country” cracks down on the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and halts cross-border attacks. “This difference will remain until they address the issue.”

The COAS made it clear that any attempt to disturb the peace of the nation will be met with decisive and overwhelming force. “The enemy may try to sow discord and fear, but we will not relent. Hostile elements will be dealt with an iron hand. They will continue to suffer heavy losses, and their capacity to inflict harm will be decimated.”