Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has stated that the Senate decision postponing the election process reflects his party’s position, even as the continuous issue surrounding general elections casts a shadow over the timely holding of polls on February 8.
A motion to postpone the polls due to the country’s terrible weather and security conditions was introduced by an independent legislator in the upper house of parliament on Friday. The resolution was approved by the majority of the 14 senators in attendance.
Before his Sunday visit to Afghanistan, Fazl stated, “Sky will not fall if polls are deferred for the betterment of the [security] situation,” as senior politicians continue to voice concerns about the security situation in the nation, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.
At the request of the Taliban-led interim government in the neighboring nation, the JUI-F chief headed for Kabul.
The visit takes place at a time when relations between the two nations are strained due to an increase in terror occurrences in Pakistan, most of which are attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned organization.
The head of JUI-F has often stated that the nation’s current state of affairs does not make holding elections possible.
because his party has been targeted by banned organizations for a number of years, and as a result, it has been attacked at least three times in the last six months.
The most recent was a gun attack on the JUI-F convoy in Dera Ismail Khan, but since he wasn’t there, he was lucky to be unscathed.
The Senate’s acceptance of a motion to postpone polls sparked the debate over the elections, which are already scheduled for next month after multiple delays.
On the other hand, a new resolution on the conduct of the elections on February 8 as planned was presented to the upper house on Saturday. Additionally, a motion was made to the Supreme Court to begin contempt proceedings against senators who were involved in approving a resolution in the Senate regarding the delay of the polls.
Regarding the motion to postpone the election, Fazl stated in the interview that the Senate resolution supported the JUI-F’s position regarding terrorist risks.
On the other hand, he claimed not to have known about the resolution beforehand.
According to the JUI-F supremo, no meaningful electoral alliance has yet been created. The former leader of the PDM continued by saying that he gave his party’s leaders permission to proceed with seat changes in their respective districts.
“Inadequate setting for conducting polls”
He claimed that the state of affairs is insufficient for the polls and election campaigns in KP and Balochistan, the two regions most severely affected by terrorist acts in 2023.
The seasoned politician added, “People are being threatened through pamphlets warning them against attending JUI-F rallies.”
Regarding the motion to postpone the election, Fazl stated in the interview that the Senate resolution supported the JUI-F’s position regarding terrorist risks.
On the other hand, he claimed not to have known about the resolution beforehand.
According to the JUI-F supremo, no meaningful electoral alliance has yet been created. The former leader of the PDM continued by saying that he gave his party’s leaders permission to proceed with seat changes in their respective districts.
“Inadequate setting for conducting polls”
He claimed that the state of affairs is insufficient for the polls and election campaigns in KP and Balochistan, the two regions most severely affected by terrorist acts in 2023.
The seasoned politician added, “People are being threatened through pamphlets warning them against attending JUI-F rallies.”
The seasoned politician stated this as she urged the pertinent parties to acknowledge the “gravity” of the situation.
Furthermore, Fazl asserted that he can no longer take part in political events and that he has received threats warning him not to attend particular rallies.
According to him, not only does his party want elections, but it also needs the right conditions. According to him, the security situation needs to be improved enough so that the political party can interact with the public.
Fazl expressed optimism that the situation in the nation would improve in some way. He went on to say that if polls are “forced on us anyway,” then his party will run in the elections.
He declared, “We are not the ones fleeing the polls,” and continued,
“Looking at the ground realities for talks with the TTP is the only way to move towards a comprehensive strategy,” he continued. “I believe in talks and mediation.”
In response to a query on an even playing field, the politician stated that this is a novel phrase that is being applied to just one party.
Without mentioning anyone, he remarked, “There was the same blue-eyed boy yesterday, and today, he is being supported.”
In 2023, Pakistan continued to be a hotbed of violence and terrorism due to internal political unrest, economic inequality, unstable regional conditions, and escalating hostilities with terrorist organizations that operate in Afghanistan’s border regions.
Senior JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah was hurt in a bomb in September of last year in the Mastung area of Balochistan, which also injured ten other people. In July 2023, a suicide blast in Bajaur’s Khar targeted the party’s workers’ convention, killing at least 40 JUI-F workers.
In contrast to the JUI-F, practically all of the main political parties have stated that the general elections must be held on the scheduled date and rejected the motion for postponing the polls.
