JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman Criticizes Government over Economic Crisis, Calls for Fresh Elections

JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman accused the government of economic mismanagement and demanded new elections. He labelled current parliamentarians as 'fake representatives' and highlighted issues like tax hikes and foreign debt repayment. The party has also engaged in strategic talks with PTI against the ruling coalition.

In a fiery critique of Pakistan's economic management, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman denounced the members of Parliament as 'fake representatives' of the people, according to Geo News. Referring to the February 9 general elections as 'rigged,' Rehman has been vocally demanding fresh elections to ensure genuine representation in the legislature.

Following the 2024 elections, the JUI-F fell out with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), alleging vote rigging, electoral manipulation, and interference in the poll results. Rehman has also been in discussions with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to formulate a strategy for forcing the incumbent government into new elections, Geo News reported.

Speaking at a traders' convention in Peshawar, Rehman criticized the current leadership: 'Fake representatives of the people are sitting in Parliament, not the real ones, [...] who don't think about the masses.' He slammed the government for increased taxes, which have burdened inflation-hit citizens and opposition parties alike. 'The only thing that has not been taxed yet is breathing,' he remarked. Jamat-e-Islami (JI) also recently ended a nearly two-week-long protest in Rawalpindi following successful negotiations with the federal government, as reported by ARY News.

'Why should we pay taxes when people know their money will be used to repay foreign loans?' Rehman questioned, adding, 'This is not how countries are run; politicians run the country.' He also criticized the government for importing sub-standard wheat despite local farmers having sufficient stocks and called for greater support for traders and farmers to stabilize the economy.

Rehman emphasized that Pakistan is undergoing a critical situation and asserted that his party could play a crucial role in economic stabilization, ARY News reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)