Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), on Thursday warned the establishment against overstepping its boundaries, telling it to stay within its limits, Express News reported.
“We cannot be coerced into accepting the dominance of any institution. Let us remain a nation grounded in ethics and intellect,” Fazl said while speaking to a party meeting in Lahore.
In an apparent reference to the military establishment, Fazl said, “We do not submit to the supremacy of any institution. Therefore, stay within your limits.”
“The establishment must listen. This is the voice of Fazlur Rehman and also the voice of our party.”
Read more: Fazl foresees collapse of ‘system’
Fazl said that people in villages and rural areas are often forced to vote for certain candidates against their will. “Our party is often told to withdraw our candidate for someone, money is also demanded from our candidates. If we present evidence, there will be no refuge for you,” he cautioned.
Expressing apprehension about the state of democracy, Maulana Fazlur Rehman remarked, “Regrettably, I see this country heading towards the situation in Bengal; the Parliament is merely a symbolic institution, and democracy is losing its ground.”
Challenging those who label their struggle against democracy, he asserted, “We are fighting against those who declare democracy as infidelity, but we are being cornered. If Parliament continues to be formed through rigging, it will lose its significance.”
Also read: Fazl won’t ‘lick boots’ to get to dummy parliament
JUI-F chief emphasised their adherence to the concept of democracy defined by senior religious scholars and questioned the deviation from democratic norms.
“The Parliament is being brought into existence according to Western interests; do not expect anything from the rulers; they have buried their dignity before their demise,” he remarked.
He questioned the credibility of America in advocating for human rights after its actions in Afghanistan and Palestine.
“Our manifesto states that we become the voice of the oppressed; I told Shehbaz Sharif, join the opposition, lest you become a target of our movement,” he added.
He concluded by saying that their mandate was not rigged by other political parties but by the establishment.
