JUI-F mandate stolen in past, says Fazl

PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday said the powers that be stole his party mandate in the past and prevented it from coming into power.

Speaking at the party’s youth convention here, the Maulana said that people were participating in the party’s public meetings in a large number, which showed that the people supported the JUI-F.

He warned such elements against creating hurdles for the JUI-F, adding they would not remained silent if same tactics were used against his party in the upcoming general election. “I want to make it clear to the bureaucracy and establishment that no one can block our way anymore,” he added.

Criticizing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, he said that the provincial government announced Rs30,000 stipends for artistes while announced just Rs10,000 for the prayers leaders.

“But now the provincial government is not paying the stipends to religious scholars citing lack of funds,” he added.

He said the PTI was claiming that all the youth were supporting the party but the participation of youth in today’s JUI-F convention showed that the young generation was stand by the religious party.

The Maulana said that the West was trying to create anti-state sentiments among the youth against the country but his party would not let it succeed in its nefarious designs.

Fazlur Rehman stressed the need for deciding the future of tribal areas as per the aspiration of tribespeople.

He criticised the leadership of Muslim countries for their silence over the bloodshed of Muslims across the globe. He asked for an end to the bloodshed in Syria.

He said that efforts were being made to grab the resources of Afghanistan but added they would not let it happen at any cost.