ISLAMABAD; Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly criticized the state of governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, stating that there is no real presence of government authority in these provinces, let alone any meaningful action against terrorism. He made these remarks while addressing a meeting of Majlis-e-Quideen and a national consultation organized by the Milli Yakjehti Council on Wednesday.
Maulana Fazl noted that terrorists are moving about openly in broad daylight, yet no one dares to confront them. “The state must stop shifting the blame for its failures onto others,” he asserted, questioning whether this unrest stems from incompetence or is part of a deliberate agenda. He emphasized the need for a bold and principled stance, clarifying that armed struggle cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Recalling the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, he said the country was engulfed in chaos during that period, and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) was active. “We even faced imprisonment for the cause of Ittehad-e-Ummah. We declared that raising arms for religious purposes was against Shariah, and we continue to support the Constitution to this day,” he said.
He also questioned the effectiveness of military operations against terrorism, such as those in Swat and Waziristan. “The displaced people from those areas still haven’t fully returned. Who sent them to Afghanistan, and how did they come back?” he asked.
Discussing the 26th Constitutional Amendment, Maulana Fazl said the government was forced to withdraw 35 proposed points, reducing them to 22. Yet his party still supported further steps. He highlighted that the constitution now explicitly states that interest (riba) must be eliminated by December 31, 2027. “We must monitor this deadline closely. If the government fails to fulfill its commitment, we will approach the courts,” he warned.
He added that if a legal appeal is filed, the matter must be resolved within a year, and the Federal Shariat Court’s verdict will take immediate effect. “Previously, the Council of Islamic Ideology’s recommendations were merely symbolic, but now they will be debated seriously.”
On the issue of honor killings, Fazlur Rehman said such murders are in complete violation of Islamic principles. He criticized the state for enabling immoral acts like “free-will relationships” while making it difficult for young people to enter into lawful marriages. “Legislation should align with societal and religious values,” he urged.
Regarding Kashmir and FATA’s merger, he recalled that the state’s position on Kashmir has been steadily weakened. “When Modi revoked Article 370, we couldn’t even mention it in the condemnation resolution,” he lamented. He also reiterated his opposition to the FATA merger, noting that even the provincial government now acknowledges it was a mistake.
On Palestine, he denounced Israeli aggression and called the two-state solution a mere illusion. “Israel is an occupying power. We were the first to declare it illegitimate in 1940,” he said. Welcoming Iran’s response to Israeli actions, Fazl praised Iran’s support for Pakistan during past conflicts and reaffirmed his commitment to the protection of the Haramain Sharifain through Muslim unity.
