Timely call

One may disagree with JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s politics, but his recent address to parliament deserves attention. He rightly pointed out that Pakistan is not functioning as a true democracy, with major decisions seemingly being made behind closed doors, reducing the government to a rubber stamp. He also highlighted worsening conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where the state’s writ seems to have collapsed and police and Levies fear extremist retribution. He warned that failure to restore public faith in democracy could repeat past national tragedies.

In a powerful appeal, he urged parliamentarians across party lines to unite and devise a cohesive strategy to halt the decline. He emphasised that relying solely on brute force is unsustainable, and genuine dialogue with public representatives is essential for lasting peace. This was a much-needed call to action that, if heeded, could help steer the country away from its current crisis.

Kamal Hyat

Lahore