Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday criticized the state institutions for allegedly manipulating election results to consolidate their control over power in the country.
The JUI-F chief, in his address to public gatherings, has repeatedly termed the February 8, 2024 general elections as more rigged than the 2018 elections. Last week, Fazal-led Jamaat staged a wheel-jam strike against alleged rigging in the January 5 provincial constituency PB-45 (Quetta-8) by-election in Balochistan, in which the PPP candidate was declared the winner. was Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Maulana said: “Institutions manipulate elections. [results] To consolidate their authority, while politicians also compromise. [on their principles] to come to power.”
The JUI-F leader added that because of the weaknesses of politicians, dictatorial forces are getting stronger.
“Any institution that oversteps its constitutional limits. [the boundaries of the roles assigned to them under the Constitution] His behavior should be reviewed.”
He further said that JUI(F) won by-election in Balochistan as per Form 45.
The tragedy is that this is the second election that people are not happy about.
The cleric stressed that all institutions should remain within their constitutional scope, adding: “Parliament is useless today.”
Stressing the need for fresh elections in the country, Fazal asked: “If there is room for rigged elections, why not early elections?”
In response to a question, the JUI-F leader expressed satisfaction over the ongoing talks between the ruling alliance and the PTI.
He said: “I am a politician and always support negotiations. There are good hopes from the talks between the government and PTI.
Maulana said that politicians should not be behind bars.
JUIF added that it is my wish that the issues be resolved through dialogue.