Fazl says 2018, 2024 general elections managed, rigged

BATTAGRAM: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday reiterated his rejection of the 2018 and 2024 general elections, labeling them as “managed and rigged.”

“Election results in this country are manipulated. We rejected the outcome of elections in 2018, and did the same with 2024,” said Maulana Fazl while addressing a rally in Battagram.

The event was attended by thousands of party workers from Battagram, Torghar, Kohistan, Mansehra, and Abbottabad. The rally was hosted by JUIF’s Battagram chapter, where district head Mufti Nisar welcomed the participants.

Addressing the workers, the JUIF chief termed the gathering a “revival of tradition” on the soil of Hazara.

Criticising what he described as “corruption-friendly puppet governments,” Maulana Fazl said the establishment must bow to the people’s will.

He also criticised the merger of tribal areas into KP, calling it a decision made under international pressure. “A new committee has been formed to review the matter,” he added.

“You made a blind decision about the future of millions of people in Fata,” he said without naming anyone.

Maulana Fazl also lashed out at the United States and the West, questioning their double standards on war and peace in Gaza, Palestine, and Iran.

He criticised the promotion of the “Abrahamic Unity” concept, calling it a Western ploy to dilute Islamic values. The JUIF chief said the Holy Quran is the final Divine book. “We reject any call to unify religions under Western influence,” he stated.

Condemning the recent government policies, he said: “During General Pervez Musharraf’s era, immoral practices were facilitated. Today, lawful Islamic marriages are being restricted. What kind of Islamic Republic is this?”

The Maulana warned the rulers of Divine punishment if they continued on their current path.