PTI Criticizes JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for Supporting PML-N Government

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has criticized Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for supporting the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government. This criticism came after Rehman shifted his stance on the coalition government.

Statements from PTI

Speaking on the Geo News program ‘Naya Pakistan,’ Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said, “We never needed [Maulana Fazl] support, neither in the past nor today.” Saif accused Rehman of always choosing the side that benefits him the most and claimed that Rehman’s political influence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has diminished.

Saif further alleged that Rehman was eyeing the position of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor and two Senate seats, stating, “His brother will become a senator, and another relative will get governorship.” He accused Rehman of changing his position regarding the coalition government for personal gains.

Rehman’s Shift in Stance

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who previously accused the PML-N-led coalition government of coming to power through rigged elections, has now accepted the current system. Speaking in the National Assembly on September 4, Rehman called on the government and opposition to confront the challenge of terrorism, emphasizing that parliament is the supreme institution.

Background

Earlier in August, the JUI-F and PTI reached a consensus on cooperation in the National Assembly and the Senate. The two parties, traditionally archrivals, have held several meetings since the February 8 elections to address their mutual concerns over alleged election result manipulation.

Prior to the 2024 general elections, Rehman was one of the closest allies of the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and headed the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance, which ousted PTI founder Imran Khan from office through a no-confidence motion in 2022.