Fazal rejects election results, announces country-wide protests

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman has announced that his party rejected election results and would take to the streets in protest against ‘rigging’ on Monday.

In a statement following a party meeting in Islamabad, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman expressed strong dissatisfaction, stating that the level of rigging observed in this election surpassed even that of the contentious 2018 elections.

Addressing the media, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman emphasized that the streets might become the new forum for decision-making if electoral integrity continues to be compromised. He dismissed claims of transparency by the Election Commission of Pakistan, asserting that the polls were marred by clear instances of bribery and undue influence.

Furthermore, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman urged the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) to join the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam in opposition, underlining the need for a united front against what he perceived as electoral malpractice.

However, he clarified that the final decision regarding protest actions would be made in consultation with the party’s general body, indicating a coordinated approach within the JUI.

Read more: Fazal-ur-Rehman to sit in opposition?

Regarding the role of the establishment in politics, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman expressed a willingness to acknowledge their authority if they refrained from interference. Conversely, he warned of political consequences if the establishment continued to meddle in political affairs.

As the nation grapples with the fallout from the elections, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman’s stance underscores the heightened political tensions and the imperative for transparency and accountability in the electoral process.