Fazl urges PTI to exit politics for good

Faisalabad: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to step back from the country's politics.

Maulana Fazl cited the PTI-led government's poor performance and its perceived anti-Pakistan agenda as reasons for this call.

Speaking to the media in Faisalabad, Fazlur Rehman emphasized that Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), should return to his homeland, Pakistan.

When asked about Nawaz Sharif's call for accountability of judges and generals, Fazlur Rehman refrained from making a direct comment but highlighted that the JUI-F aimed to govern the country to rescue it from bankruptcy, attributing the prevailing chaos to the PTI.

Fazlur Rehman expressed concern over the continued deprivation faced by the people in the tribal belt, formerly known as FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), after its merger in 2017. He pointed out that only Rs 900 million in funds had been allocated since the merger, and essential institutions like police, administration, and a finance department were still lacking.

Regarding upcoming elections, Fazlur Rehman emphasized that the decision to hold them or not rested with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He noted the rise in terrorist activities in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressing concerns about leading an election campaign in these areas, given past incidents of JUI-F scholars' martyrdom due to bombings.

Responding to a question, Fazlur Rehman expressed reservations about conducting elections in January due to harsh cold and snow in northern regions, which could discourage voter turnout.

He also mentioned that despite the establishment of a caretaker setup after a government that had saved the country from bankruptcy, the common man had not experienced any relief.