Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticizes use of force against political entities

Peshawar, July 16: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam F, has strongly condemned the use of force against political entities, warning that such actions will only escalate political unrest.
In a recent statement, Rehman urged authorities to acknowledge the failure of the current hybrid system. He emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional boundaries for all institutions, asserting that the country can recover only if the military withdraws from politics. "The sooner the powerful circles understand this reality, the better it will be for the country and themselves," he cautioned, adding that continued interference would only exacerbate the situation.
Simultaneously, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a government ally, has opposed the federal government's decision to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI). Sources within PPP revealed that senior leaders have advised the party’s top leadership to publicly reject the government's move and have expressed surprise over claims of consensus. Senior PPP leader Farhatullah Babar criticized the notion of banning a political party or prosecuting a leader for treason, calling such measures "nonsense" that would lead to a severe political crisis. He warned that while American democracy could withstand its current turmoil, Pakistani democracy and the state might not survive a self-imposed crisis.
Adding to the dissent, the Awami National Party (ANP), the main opposition to PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, denounced the federal government's decision as "childish and unwise." ANP leaders argued that political parties cannot be suppressed through restrictions and obstacles. They stressed that the real sources of political and economic instability are the defense institutions and the establishment, calling for accountability of those truly responsible for the current turmoil.