Fazlur Rehman says pressure will not change JUI-F’s narrative
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday said he has not faced a corruption case in his 34-year political career, accusing authorities of attempting to portray him as corrupt and damage his reputation.
He said pressure and allegations would not force him to change his political narrative and that he would continue to stand by his position.
Addressing a national education conference in Islamabad, Fazlur Rehman said the government had prevented students and teachers from holding gatherings, adding that its actions were creating resentment that could have wider consequences for the country’s political system.
He alleged that notices were being circulated to malign him and urged the media to present his actual position to the public.
The JUI-F chief also claimed that his family members, senior party leaders and business associates were being subjected to pressure. He said he was accustomed to such tactics and would not stop raising his voice for his rights.
Accuses accountability bodies of political revenge
Fazlur Rehman criticised accountability institutions, alleging that political victimisation was being carried out in the name of accountability.
He said these institutions could not be expected to deliver justice, claiming they had become instruments of political revenge rather than accountability.
He questioned why those in power were not asked how they acquired hundreds of thousands of acres of land or became major investors after entering politics.
He also alleged that some people faced cases, convictions and imprisonment, but their cases and sentences were overturned after they declared their allegiance to the authorities.
The JUI-F chief said his party would continue its political struggle, stressing that a movement did not necessarily mean violence but required persistence.
He reiterated that pressure would not force his party to abandon its position.
Warns against provincial resource cuts
Fazlur Rehman said provincial resources, mineral reserves, coastlines and islands belonged to the people.
Referring to Gwadar, Balochistan’s coastal areas and the islands of Sindh, he said public rights could not be ignored in decisions concerning these resources.
He alleged that the government’s actions were aimed at gaining control over provincial resources and reducing the revenue shares allocated to provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
He said decisions concerning the future of provincial resources would not be accepted without taking the nation into confidence.
Calls for consensus on constitutional amendments
Fazlur Rehman also questioned whether the Constitution, the amendment concerning Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (the finality of prophethood) and the 18th Amendment had not been adopted through consensus.
He said the government should address public concerns rather than undermine agreements reached through national consensus.
The JUI-F chief said he was not seeking confrontation and would present arguments in support of his position.
He warned that if the government attempted to seize the nation’s resources, his party would continue its struggle to protect the country.