JUI-F urges rivals to stop ‘anti-Fazl campaign’

Islamabad: Hafiz Naseer Ahmed Ahrar, General Secretary of the JUI-F in Punjab, called on Monday for his political opponents to put an end to the "character assassination" campaign targeting JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. In a statement, Ahrar highlighted that Maulana Fazlur Rehman's comments should be considered within the broader context of Pakistan's challenges, but his opponents were actively working to tarnish his reputation.

Responding to comments made by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Ahrar questioned her about the facilitation of the PTI's 13-year rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and demanded an explanation of the sacrifices her family had made for the country. He urged critics to respond to Maulana's remarks with arguments rather than allegations.

Ahrar emphasized that JUI-F workers were the heirs to the sacrifices of the country's martyrs and respected the contributions of all who gave their lives for the nation. He argued that the JUI-F chief was raising concerns about inflation, lawlessness, terrorism, and economic decline, questioning why it was his fault to do so. The JUI-F's growing popularity in Punjab was causing unease among its political opponents, according to Ahrar, who noted that people in the province were increasingly expressing confidence in Maulana and his political narrative.

He stated that Maulana advocated for Pakistan's development and prosperity, the supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament, and opposed the imposition of governor's rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He criticized the Punjab government for selling educational and healthcare institutions and for imposing burdens on the public.

The JUI-F leader affirmed that his party's mission to transform Pakistan into an Islamic welfare state would persist under Maulana Fazlur Rehman's leadership. Ahrar announced that Maulana would speak at a public gathering in Sargodha on November 26, predicting a large turnout and indicating that the party's activities were unsettling the provincial government.