Fazl urges govt to stand with Gaza, Iran

ISLAMABAD: JUIF chief Fazlur Rehman Thursday emphasized that Pakistan should openly stand with the people of Gaza and Iran.

He was talking to the media after attending the budget debate in the National Assembly.

When asked by the media about the meeting between US President Trump and Field Marshal Asim Munir, he said, “As a political worker, I can say that America desired a ceasefire between Pakistan and India and now it might have emphasized a ceasefire between Iran and Israel but it would never call an end to attacks in Gaza.”

Speaking in the National Assembly, he categorically rejected the budget saying the public had not termed it good. He said how he could be expected to praise the budget document when it had drawn criticism from every section of the society.

He pointed out that Pakistan even saw times when its GDP growth went negative.

He also asked whether the establishment was limited to its responsibilities and not controlling politics and parliament. Unfortunately, lawlessness and terrorism are being used as a political tool, he said.

Fazl charged that the government was getting anti-Shariah bills passed by parliament at the behest of liberal elite of the society and NGOs. He also invited supporters and movers of such legislation for a debate.

He said that the federal budget was prepared by the IMF and not by the Government of Pakistan. He urged the government to stop victimizing the political opponents.

Malik Aamir Dogar of PTI reiterated his party’s demand for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and party’s other leaders. He also demanded the creation of South Punjab as a separate province and operationalizing its secretariat. Aamir Dogar also asked the government to fix the minimum wage at Rs50,000 per month. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, while giving the floor to Aamir Dogar, said the opposition members had already been given excess time of five hours during the budget debate.

According to him, the prime minister and foreign minister had not given any categorical statement against the attack on Iran.

Meanwhile, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met with Fazl at the Parliament House. During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on the overall political situation of the country, federal budget for next fiscal year and the emerging regional scenario in the light of Iran-Israel conflict, the National Assembly Secretariat in a statement said.

Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhail was also present during the meeting.

Fazl expressed deep concern over the Iran-Israel war, stating that in the current situation, the entire Muslim Ummah must demonstrate unity, solidarity, and foresight to ensure that efforts for peace in the region are not undermined. He emphasized that Pakistan should further intensify its diplomatic efforts to play a reconciliatory role in the Muslim world.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said, “Pakistan has openly condemned Israeli aggression and reiterated its friendship and solidarity with Iran. We have effectively presented our stance on Palestine and Iran at all international forums, and the parliament stands in complete support of this position,” he said.

He further said all political parties must speak with one voice in the national interest to strengthen Pakistan’s foreign policy on the global stage. The meeting also included discussions on the Federal Budget 2025-26.