CHARSADDA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and said that ensuring the safety of citizens was the fundamental responsibility of the state and its institutions.
Speaking to the media at Darul Uloom Islamia in Charsadda, he criticised both the government and law enforcement agencies for their failure to control decades-long unrest in the province.
“If we are capable of neutralising India in three to four hours, then why have we failed to address insecurity in our own country for the last 40 years?” he asked. “We are told that the public is sheltering the terrorists. But in reality, people of Swat and Waziristan are still living as displaced citizens in their own country,” he said.
He voiced concern over reports that residents of Waziristan were once again being asked to vacate their homes. “Why should they leave? Why is the blame for your failure being shifted to the people?” he asked.
“Stop speaking to people from a position of arrogance. These officials act high-handedly in every meeting and jirga, using intimidating tones. They must correct their attitude and speak like fellow human beings, not as if they are some superior species imposed upon us,” he added.
The JUIF chief said there was growing alarm over threats made to citizens during tribal gatherings. “They should self-reflect before passing judgement on others,” he added.
The Maulana rejected the notion that the state was powerless. “The state is not weak. It can restore peace but the problem is that the government and the institutions are not serious about doing so,” he said.
To a question about the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said the province certainly needed change, but that change should come from within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“We are not ending our differences with PTI,” he clarified. “Our approach is to maintain balance. We believe in political disagreement without turning it into personal animosity,” he added.
He expressed frustration with opposition parties, saying that while JUIF was being targeted with foul language by the ruling provincial leadership, it was also being dragged to court by parties like the PMLN.
“How can we even think about supporting a no-confidence move in such a scenario?” he asked, advising opposition parties to reflect on whether their actions were actually benefiting the government. Turning to regional issues, the JUIF leader said Pakistan must prioritise dialogue with Afghanistan. “We advise the government that dialogue is the only way forward,” he added.
