JUI (F) Chief demands new general elections in Pakistan

QUETTA: Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman demanded new general elections in Pakistan, rejecting the February 8 polls as ‘unacceptable’, here on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, Fazlur Rehman claimed that the government had no authority to address their concerns and that the February 8 elections were not transparent.

He demanded that the right to vote should be restored to the people and new elections should be conducted under a transparent system.

Fazal also referred to the recent resolution of the US Congress on Pakistan’s elections, saying that it raised questions about the legitimacy of the elections. He questioned the approval of such a resolution and asked if it is a diplomatic failure.

Earlier on Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution urging the government of Pakistan to uphold democratic institutions, human rights and the rule of law.

A total of 368 members voted in favor of the House Resolution HR 901 titled “Expressing Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan”. Seven members voted against it.

The resolution – which was supported by 85 percent of the House and 98 percent voted in favor – urged Islamabad to uphold democratic institutions, human rights and the rule of law, and the basic guarantees of due process, Freedom of the press, respect the freedom of the press. Assembly, and the freedom of speech of the people of Pakistan.

The JUIF chief said that the current leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf lacks unity and is unable to take decisions. He claimed that PTI has not formed any negotiating team yet.

“The stand and reservations against PTI are serious”, he said, adding that his party has made it clear to Imran Khan’s party that reservations will be removed and “we are ready for a suitable environment”.

He also claimed that the Sunni Ittihad Council (SIC), the new home of PTI legislators, was against an alliance with the JUI-F.

Talking about the defense of the country, Fazal said that the nation stands with the Pakistan Army but is against interference in political matters. He also questioned the rise in terrorist activities, noting that the confidence of the nation has been lost.

Fazlur Rehman lamented that the government has failed to restore China’s confidence to invest in Pakistan, citing terrorist attacks on Chinese nationals in the country.