ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman urged for the empowerment of politicians and a political approach to address the grievances of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking in the National Assembly, he warned against dismissing the role of parliament, political parties, and leadership as irrelevant.
Maulana Rehman criticized the military’s overreach into civilian matters, remarking that adopting extreme measures or seeking quick fixes would not resolve the underlying issues. He questioned whether the government had the authority and capability to make decisions independently.
The JUI-F chief advised the government to engage with the opposition and hold discussions with the discontented populace. He believed that parliamentary intervention could restore normalcy in Balochistan and KP, where he noted that armed groups were exerting control and taxing residents.
Rehman highlighted the escalation in tensions, with some advocating for separation and others promising forceful responses to protect the state. He criticized the government for not taking the August 26 terrorist attacks in Balochistan seriously and lamented the sidelining of experienced political leaders who could offer solutions.
He also accused Pakistan of being a battleground for a proxy war between the US and China, which he claimed had obstructed major projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Rehman noted that terrorism had led to significant disruptions, including the closure of schools and a lack of national symbols in some areas.
Rehman vowed to continue criticizing the government’s policies but offered his assistance on national security matters. He also addressed the issue of missing persons, asserting that the government must account for their whereabouts and update their families.
On resource allocation, Rehman stressed that the Constitution and the 18th Amendment grant provinces rights over their resources, and the state should not interfere. He called for a restoration of trust in the military, which he claimed was being undermined by recent actions.
**Opposition’s Response**
Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan also emphasized the need to address regional grievances, suggesting a fact-finding mission to Balochistan and the formation of a committee to engage with its people. He criticized the resignation of veteran politician Akhtar Mengal and claimed that even high-ranking officials were restricted to the Red Zone and were not trusted by Baloch youth.
Khan condemned the government’s lack of interest in resolving issues, accusing it of external influence and alleging persecution of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He defended PTI leaders against allegations related to the May 9 attacks and challenged the government to produce evidence in court.
He also raised concerns about a recent attempted abduction in Peshawar and called for legal action against Punjab police officials involved. Khan expressed frustration over media blackouts during parliamentary debates and criticized the inability of Balochistan’s representatives to speak on important issues due to fear of becoming missing persons themselves.
