Fazl-ur-Rehman says won’t be part of constitutional amendment

Islamabad: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday suggested the government to delay the proposed constitutional amendments until the conclusion of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, JUI-F chief also advised the opposition to suspend their protests in a bid to maintain political stability during the international event.

Rehman, while addressing the media, emphasised the need for a more deliberative process regarding the constitutional amendments, pointing to the example of the 18th Amendment, which took nine months of discussions before all parties reached an agreement.

“The government informed me that these amendments are being rushed, but I question why there is such urgency to make constitutional changes under an emergency,” he stated. “If force is used to impose these amendments, we will stand firm in our opposition.”

He further highlighted that the government's authority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan appears to be waning, suggesting that the current political and internal divisions should be transformed into a movement toward unity.

“The situation our country is facing requires careful attention. The government's writ has weakened in these provinces,” he said, calling for restraint and consensus-building.

The JUI-F chief also raised concerns over the halt in the registration of religious seminaries, accusing the government of spreading false propaganda. “If the government has demanded, then they should also listen to ours,” Fazlur Rehman insisted.

When asked about potential political manoeuvring, Maulana Fazlur Rehman dismissed any notion of disunity within his ranks, stating that no members of his party had defected.

He reiterated his stance against "match-fixing" and horse-trading in politics, affirming his commitment to his party’s discipline. He clarified that there is no agreement in place for a joint protest with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Mr Fazl also touched upon the ongoing violence in the Middle East, expressing grave concern over Israel's continued aggression against Palestinians. He condemned the silence of the Muslim Ummah on the matter, calling it "worrisome."

“Israel is engaging in state-sponsored terrorism, and the Muslim Ummah is watching in silence. This silence must be broken,” he stated, while accusing Israel of using Western and American weaponry to further its military goals.

Fazlur Rehman also noted that the conflict has expanded to Lebanon, where prominent Muslim leaders are being targeted.

He called on the Muslim world to unite and take a stand against what he termed as Israel's "brutality and bloodshed." “The Muslim Ummah has to put an end to this terror,” he asserted, urging for immediate action.