Fazlur Rehman Slams KP Government Over Rigging and Security Crisis, Urges Political Change and FATA Merger Review
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman launched a strong attack on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on Saturday, claiming it came to power through rigging and warning that the province can no longer afford political or security instability. Speaking at a press conference at the Mufti Mahmood Centre in Peshawar, the veteran politician declared that KP is overwhelmed by lawlessness, terrorism, and what he described as a failure of the state to protect its people.
Fazlur Rehman alleged that the PTI-led provincial government is a product of an “artificial mandate” and that everyday citizens in KP no longer feel safe enough to leave their homes. He said the province is facing its worst-ever law and order situation, linking the rising insecurity to ineffective governance. “The common man finds it difficult to step outside. Terrorism rules in Balochistan, bandits control Sindh, and KP is in the grip of chaos,” he said.
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He called for a political change in KP but stressed that such change should ideally come from within the ranks of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which currently holds a majority in the provincial assembly. “If PTI claims to have the mandate, then change must emerge from within. It shouldn’t appear that the opposition is forcibly toppling the government,” he said. He added that internal restructuring within PTI would offer a more legitimate path toward political stability.
Reflecting on past governance, Fazl recalled that when JUI-F was in power in KP, particularly around 2010, the province enjoyed peace and stability. “Until 2006, people could move freely, and there were no checkposts. There was law and order. That was real governance,” he said. He reiterated that his party, despite political differences, harbors no hostility toward PTI and remains open to dialogue if PTI changes its confrontational approach.
Fazl also condemned the killing of a religious scholar in Bajaur, offering his condolences and describing the incident as further evidence of the deteriorating security environment. He categorically rejected any form of armed struggle in the name of religion, declaring, “We do not accept any unconstitutional movement or armed group using Islam as a shield.”
Criticising the use of provincial funds, Fazlur Rehman said the current KP government was misusing the budget to appoint unnecessary parliamentary secretaries and finance luxuries, instead of addressing people’s problems. “This is a government born of rigging and extortion. The province’s resources are being wasted,” he claimed.
Turning to the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into KP, Fazl repeated his long-standing opposition, calling it a hasty and flawed decision. “All political parties got swept away in the moment. The amendment was passed without proper debate. Now even those who supported it must admit it was a mistake,” he said. He warned of emerging issues in the merged districts, including complications related to land ownership as land records are being developed via satellite technology. He also criticised the composition of the federal committee overseeing FATA affairs, questioning the lack of Pakhtun representation.
To address the growing challenges, Fazl announced that a grand tribal jirga would be held and said JUI-F would seek broader consultation with tribal elders. “The future of the tribal areas must be determined by their people,” he emphasized, noting that the JUI-F had consistently advocated for local consent before any political restructuring.
He also addressed ongoing political talks, confirming that his party is in early-stage consultations with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over potential seat adjustments for the upcoming Senate elections. However, he clarified that no agreements have been reached so far.
On the federal government, Fazl distanced himself from current rulers, explaining that he chose not to join the coalition due to widespread irregularities in the elections. “If I had agreed with the government’s approach, I would have been a part of it. But when assembly seats were up for sale, how could I support such a setup?” he asked. Despite this, he maintained a nationalistic stance, stating, “If war is imposed on the country, even with a thousand grievances, we will stand united.”
Responding to a question about former prime minister Imran Khan’s imprisonment, Fazlur Rehman said that no politician should be jailed but acknowledged that political detentions have always been a part of Pakistan’s history. He added that he had no objections if Khan’s children wanted to return to Pakistan.
As speculation grows over potential changes in KP’s political landscape, Fazl’s remarks follow the Supreme Court’s June 27 ruling that disqualified PTI from claiming reserved seats, leaving the opposition just 20 members short of a simple majority in the provincial assembly. Although senior PML-N leaders like Khawaja Asif and Rana Sanaullah have denied planning a no-confidence motion against KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi hinted at the possibility, saying it would be the opposition’s democratic right if they secured a majority.
In conclusion, Fazlur Rehman insisted that JUI-F would never seek power through undemocratic means. “Whether it’s the federal or provincial government, we don’t want power handed to us by boots—we want the mandate of the people,” he said. He also hinted at the possibility of convening an All Parties Conference (APC) to collectively address the province’s worsening security and political crisis.
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