PESHAWAR: The chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday announced his party’s decision to boycott the upcoming by-elections.
In a video message, he stated that the JUI-F rejects the results of the February 8 elections, citing concerns over their legitimacy, which they believe favored the current government.
Accompanied by major political parties such as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the JUI-F alleges that the February 8 polls were marred by rigging. Fazl emphasized that the current parliament lacks true representation of the people and instead reflects the interests of the establishment.
ہم نے فیصلہ کیا تھا کہ ان انتخابات کے نتائج کو تسلیم نہیں کرتے اور انہیں مسترد کرتے ہیں،کیوں کہ یہ پارلیمنٹ عوام کی نمائندہ کم اور اسٹیبلشمنٹ کی نمائندہ زیادہ ہے،اسی ضمن میں جمعیت علمائے اسلام نے ضمنی انتخابات کے بائیکاٹ کا اعلان کیا ہے، جے یو آئی کا کوئی بھی امیدوار کسی سطح پر… pic.twitter.com/se33sEIIh4
— Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) March 26, 2024
Fazl outlined plans for nationwide protests, branded as the “Awami Assembly,” commencing from April 25 in Pishin, Balochistan, followed by Karachi on May 2 and Peshawar on May 9, with Lahore to be scheduled thereafter. He stressed the importance of uniting the nation to safeguard the right to vote and ensure electoral integrity.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Fazl criticized its perceived ineffectiveness and alleged interference in civil bureaucracy affairs. He highlighted concerns raised by high courts regarding external influence and threats to judicial independence.
Furthermore, the JUI-F leader declared the party’s decision to abstain from participating in the upcoming by-elections, scheduled for April 21, citing a lack of confidence in the fairness of the electoral process following the disputed February 8 results.
