Fazl Suspects KP’s Minerals Behind Push for Governor’s Rule
News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has rejected the proposed imposition of Governor’s Rule and a state of emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, questioning the government’s justification and alleging that the measures could be linked to attempts to gain control over the province’s mineral resources.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Fazl-ur-Rehman said the government had failed to present a convincing explanation capable of winning public confidence.
He called for an in-camera session of Parliament to brief lawmakers on the objectives, background and implications of the proposed measures, stressing that decisions affecting the province’s political and constitutional future required parliamentary scrutiny.
The JUI chief alleged that counterterrorism measures could be used as a pretext to strengthen federal control over Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s natural resources.
He warned that the province’s mineral wealth should not be appropriated at the expense of its people and questioned whether decisions concerning access to these resources were being made without sufficient transparency.
He maintained that the government must explain the real purpose of its proposed actions rather than relying on security-related justifications that, in his view, had failed to convince the public.
FATA Merger Sparks Doubts
Referring to the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with KP, Fazl-ur-Rehman questioned what he described as a contradiction in the government’s approach to the former tribal areas.
He recalled that the PML-N government initiated the merger process in 2017, which was completed in 2018. He argued that steps now perceived as shifting authority back towards the federal government could undermine the spirit of that integration and raise concerns about the province’s administrative autonomy.
According to the JUI chief, these developments have fuelled public suspicions about the government’s intentions, particularly regarding the relationship between security operations, provincial authority and control over natural resources.
Fazl-ur-Rehman also dismissed speculation about his possible appointment as governor, describing such discussions as an insult to his party. He said seeking the governorship would be beneath his political standing, adding that if he were to seek an office, it would be that of the prime minister.
He rejected reports suggesting that negotiations over the position had taken place and reiterated his party’s opposition to Governor’s Rule and the proposed emergency measures.
JUI questions effectiveness of counterterrorism operations
The JUI’s consultative council, Majlis-e-Shura, has expressed serious reservations about the government’s security strategy, arguing that extensive state resources have been devoted to counterterrorism since 2001 without delivering lasting peace.
The council maintained that the persistence of terrorism despite successive operations warranted a reassessment of existing policies. It described the proposed measures as unjustified and potentially harmful to the country’s political interests.
Fazl-ur-Rehman also questioned the results of previous military operations, asking the government to explain what those campaigns had achieved and what tangible outcomes it expected from its current approach.
He argued that lessons from earlier operations should guide future decisions and that the government must demonstrate how its proposed measures would address militancy without creating further political instability.
JUI demands parliamentary oversight
The JUI’s Majlis-e-Shura has called for an in-camera session of Parliament to brief members of the National Assembly and Senate on the circumstances surrounding the government’s proposed actions.
The council believes lawmakers should be given an opportunity to examine the strategy, question its objectives and offer alternative recommendations before decisions with significant national implications are implemented.
The party has also made clear that none of its members will join the government-established council dealing with the matter.
For Fazl-ur-Rehman, the controversy extends beyond the question of Governor’s Rule to the broader issue of democratic legitimacy and the constitutional limits of political authority. He questioned whether decisions concerning changes in government, the establishment of a new system and the transfer of power should be determined by the people or imposed through force.
He argued that merely invoking constitutional provisions or claiming to have completed legal formalities does not automatically resolve questions about the legitimacy of political decisions.
Fazl questions political interference
Referring to past political developments involving former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and former president Asif Ali Zardari, Fazl-ur-Rehman questioned the application of constitutional procedures in efforts to remove or replace governments. He also asked whether the PML-N or its allies had supported similar actions in the past.
The JUI chief alleged that political decisions were increasingly being shaped by powerful forces rather than through democratic consultation. He questioned whether the president had properly satisfied himself about the legal and constitutional requirements before signing the relevant decision, arguing that the process did not meet the necessary standards.
He further criticised the involvement of unelected actors in political affairs, saying elected representatives had taken oaths in Parliament and continued to uphold their commitments. Those who had pledged to remain detached from politics, he argued, should also reflect on their conduct.
Reiterating the JUI’s rejection of the results of the 2024 general elections, Fazl-ur-Rehman cited former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf’s attempts to reshape Pakistan’s political system, arguing that imposing changes through such means had failed to provide a lasting solution.
He stressed that the country’s political and administrative challenges should be addressed through dialogue, parliamentary consultation and engagement among relevant stakeholders rather than coercive measures.
The JUI chief’s central demand is that the government explain the rationale behind its proposed actions and allow Parliament to scrutinise the strategy before proceeding. He maintains that counterterrorism efforts must not come at the expense of provincial rights, democratic representation and constitutional governance.
