Peshawar — JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has openly called for a political shift in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, but with a twist: he wants the change to come from within the ruling PTI itself rather than through opposition engineering.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, the veteran politician said that while it didn’t matter whether change came from internal or external forces, the province couldn’t afford to stay on its current course. “If PTI truly has a majority, then let the shift start from their own ranks,” he said, adding that external moves to topple the government would only fuel political instability.
Fazl was blunt in his criticism of the PTI, claiming its provincial mandate was “artificial” and lacked real public support. But he also distanced himself from the current federal setup, stating, “Had I agreed with the government’s direction, I would’ve been part of it. When seats in the assemblies are being bought and sold, how can one stand with such a system?”
While refusing to dive into details about upcoming Senate elections, he confirmed that discussions were underway with other political parties.
On national defense, the JUI-F leader struck a patriotic chord. “We may have a thousand complaints, but if war is imposed on Pakistan, we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder in its defense,” he declared.
Expressing alarm over the law and order situation in K-P, Fazl said residents were gripped by fear and hesitation. “People think twice before stepping out of their homes. The province can no longer afford political and security chaos,” he warned, urging for an all-parties conference to address the worsening security landscape.
Taking a trip down memory lane, he claimed that peace prevailed during his party’s past government. “There were no unnecessary checkpoints. People moved freely. Our differences with other parties are political, not personal.”
Revisiting the controversial merger of former FATA with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Fazl didn’t mince words. “Everyone rushed to support the merger—we kept warning it was premature. Today, the consequences are clear.” He also criticized the delay in extending judicial and administrative systems to the region and expressed support for the upcoming grand tribal jirga.
Fazl also targeted the current K-P government’s spending habits. “Funds are being used for luxury perks and unnecessary appointments. This government is a product of rigging and financial coercion,” he alleged.
On former PM Imran Khan’s imprisonment, Fazl said, “No politician should be in jail, though politics often lands people there. Our goal should be the nation’s progress.” He added that there was no harm if Imran Khan’s children wanted to return to Pakistan.
He wrapped up with a strong message about his party’s values: “We will never accept power handed to us by the boots. We seek strength from the people, not undemocratic shortcuts.”