In the aftermath of the February 8 nationwide elections, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has vocally critiqued the electoral process, hinting at a potential collapse of the current system due to alleged manipulations by the establishment to tailor legislative bodies and their members to its preferences.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, alongside fellow party leaders, Rehman articulated suspicions of premeditated efforts to diminish JUI-F’s representation in the assemblies, claiming widespread irregularities at polling stations.
Rehman drew parallels between the rigging allegations of the 2018 and 2024 general elections, maintaining that a public representative’s allegiance should lie with the populace, not the establishment, yet reassured his commitment to the continuity of Pakistan’s parliamentary system.
Amidst escalating tensions and converging interests with political adversaries, notably the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Rehman suggested that PTI be allowed to form a government should it secure a majority. He subtly criticized PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, for seeking the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) intervention in auditing the election, advising against foreign entities’ involvement in domestic affairs.
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Rehman underscored JUI-F’s openness to dialogue for resolving electoral disputes, acknowledging past engagements with PTI representatives in the spirit of political tradition. Reflecting on the broader political landscape, he expressed disapproval of Khan’s arrest, distancing himself from deriving pleasure from political incarcerations.
The JUI-F, a key player in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) that facilitated Khan’s parliamentary ousting in 2022, announced its abstention from upcoming presidential elections, as well as leadership roles in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Rehman reaffirmed the party’s stance of non-participation in governmental formations at both the central and provincial levels, also noting a lack of interest in gubernatorial positions.
Following the preliminary election outcomes, JUI-F secured five seats in the National Assembly and eighteen in the provincial assemblies of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reflecting its continued influence in Pakistan’s political arena despite the contested election results.
