JUI-F chief calls Feb 8 ‘dark day’ in country’s history

MARDAN: Stressing the need for dialogue instead of political confrontation to resolve issues, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday said that the February 8 general elections were the most rigged in the country’s history.

Talking to reporters here, he strongly criticized the government, calling its formation the result of widespread electoral rigging. “Today is a dark day, and the government has been established on the basis of rigging,” he stated. He claimed that the JUIF fought alone for the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he said was crucial for protecting the rights of Constitution, parliament and citizens.

The JUIF chief also expressed concerns over what he termed as delaying tactics in implementing the Madaris Act in different provinces.

Fazlur Rehman further accused the government of robbing the rights of people, particularly the poor. He dismissed claims of economic stability, warning that inflation would rise further next year while GDP would decline.

“We have joined the opposition in the assemblies because we believe in fighting for the people’s rights,” he asserted. “No one has the right to violate the rights of the people.”

The veteran politician reiterated his stance that the election process was manipulated to install a government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He vowed to continue challenging what he called an “illegitimate” setup through democratic means.