Fazlur Rehman condemns 'fake parliament,' rejects its authority to make significant amendments

[Asfandyar Bhittani]

In his first press conference as the newly-elected Amir of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Maulana Fazlur Rehman stressed the need for consensus among political parties, including the JUI, Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to draft proposed electoral reforms.

Following the intra-party elections in which he was elected unopposed, Rehman noted that JUI conducts member registration every five years, followed by elections, with the recent polls marking the final stage of organisational restructuring. He highlighted that the party's president and general secretary were also elected unopposed.

He reiterated that despite repeated claims of election mandate theft, JUI remains firmly grounded in the public sphere. He criticised the current Parliament, asserting that it does not deserve to enact significant amendments, arguing that changes should not come from what he termed a "fake parliament." He stressed that amendments should not focus on individual personalities.

The JUI leader lamented the lack of legitimate governance at both the federal and provincial levels, describing the existing administrations as "false governments." He called for judicial reforms and urged constitutional avenues to protect fundamental rights.

Addressing recent comments from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Rehman dismissed their significance, stating that such statements from a chief executive are immature.

He also argued that preventing political gatherings is undemocratic and that PTI should be allowed to hold its events. He cautioned against provincial governments interfering in the political affairs of other provinces, asserting the need for unity.

Highlighting the ongoing turmoil in K-P, he pointed out that tribal delegations, including from Kurram, have approached the party, stating that conditions before the integration of tribal areas were better. He remarked on the injustices faced by the people of FATA and Balochistan, citing a deteriorating security situation.

Rehman recalled a meeting with former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who had reportedly agreed to withdraw certain points but succumbed to US pressure regarding the integration decision, which he believes has resulted in significant injustices against tribal communities. He argued that the tribal areas should have received Rs800 billion, but instead, they received less than Rs100 billion.

Commenting on the situation in the Middle East, he urged Arab nations to recognise that Israel seeks to escalate the conflict, which could engulf the entire Arab world.

In conclusion, he praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent speech at the United Nations General Assembly as evidence of Pakistan's resilience, advocating for collaboration among Pakistan and other Islamic nations on a common platform.

 

[Asfandyar Bhittani]

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi decries attempts at secretive amendments​

PESHAWAR:
Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has lambasted the ruling coalition for trying to surreptitiously amend the Constitution, contending that all legislations and constitutional amendments should be debated in parliament.

"The Constitution should not be amended in the darkness of the night,” Abbasi said on Sunday while talking to journalists at the Peshawar Press Club with reference to a proposed constitutional amendment package that the government is desperate to implement.

The proposed package seeks to introduce some major changes in the country’s justice system including the formation of the Federal Constitutional Court as well as an increase in the tenure of chief justices.


“There should be a debate on the amendment in parliament. In the current situation, all political parties should come together for a national dialogue. The country cannot afford another debacle,” he added.

Abbasi who was on a visit to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) provincial capital, said if incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has committed a crime under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 then he should be put on trial.

He noted that more than a year had elapsed since May 9, 2023 rioting incidents and yet the trial of Imran, whose PTI is blamed for the incidents, has not started. “No clear evidence has been presented against him [Imran] so far,” he added.


Violent protests erupted across the country on May 9, 2023, after the paramilitary rangers arrested Imran Khan from the premises of the capital’s high court in connection with a corruption case.

During these protests, rioters vandalised and set fire to military installations and memorials. The rioting was followed by a heavy-handed crackdown against the former ruling party.

Talking with reference to the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) with the K-P province in 2018, he said the merger was completed, but the promises made to the tribal people have not been fulfilled in any way.

“The situation in the tribal areas has significantly worsened compared to before,” he said. Interestingly Abbasi was serving as the PM when the merger took place.

In response to a question, he said PTI’s Ali Amin Gandapur is now the chief minister of the K-P, and he should think and act as the province’s chief executive. He said roads were blocked due to a PTI protest in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

“The government should have allowed the party to hold rallies and protests. Protests and rallies are the fundamental right of any political party,” he said.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi decries attempts at secretive amendments | The Express Tribune

Former PM calls for parliamentary debates on all legislations, constitutional amendments

tribune.com.pk

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

17 Seat wala hai, Shabaz Sharif , 1000% fake entity

17 Seat wala can't even tie his own shoes

 

[Cipher212]

He knows he's being bypassed. Almost feel bad for Diesel nowadays. The moment he's not required he's disposed unceremoniously