“They Are Searching My Kitchen for Corruption”, Claims Fazl
News Desk
PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has mocked his critics over allegations of corruption, sarcastically claiming that some people are even searching his household kitchen expenses and generator operations for evidence against him.
Addressing a Digital Media and Workers Convention organised by JUI-F in Peshawar, Fazlur Rehman criticised what he described as a campaign of personal attacks and character assassination, saying political differences should be countered with arguments rather than accusations.
He alleged that certain individuals were approaching religious scholars associated with him and party workers, pressuring them to make statements against him. He said even minor household matters, including kitchen expenses and generator operations, were being scrutinised in an attempt to find evidence of corruption.
Urging his political opponents to maintain decency, he said disagreements should be handled with dignity and political maturity rather than personal attacks.
Fazl demands answers over FATA merger
Turning to the administrative and political situation in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Fazlur Rehman demanded answers from the government over the merger of the tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
He claimed that influential quarters had acknowledged to him that the merger decision was flawed and that proposals were now being considered to restore the tribal areas’ previous administrative status.
He alleged that the original merger had taken place at the behest of a major power and claimed that external interests were also influencing current proposals concerning the region’s administrative future.
The JUI-F chief said the debate had shifted from the political future and constitutional rights of tribal residents to questions involving natural resources, economic interests and administrative control.
Pointing to unresolved issues nearly a decade after the merger, he said the settlement system had not been fully implemented, the traditional law and patwari systems remained in place, property distribution disputes persisted, and the police system had yet to be properly organised.
He called for reviewing past decisions in light of present circumstances and finding practical solutions to the problems facing tribal communities.
Questions constitutional basis of Governor’s Rule
Fazlur Rehman also questioned the administrative and emergency arrangements in the tribal districts, seeking clarity over the respective roles of the Interior Ministry, the prime minister and the provincial governor.
He said a council had reportedly been established to oversee day-to-day affairs, raising questions about the governor’s constitutional and administrative authority.
Referring to Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, he sought clarification over the constitutional provisions being invoked to justify Governor’s Rule.
He maintained that changes in government must follow constitutional procedures and that political disputes should be resolved within the constitutional framework.
Says tribal resources belong to local people
Expressing concern over the economic rights of tribal residents, the JUI-F chief said the local population was being deprived of its rightful share in the region’s resources.
He stressed that natural resources should be treated as a trust belonging to local communities and called for transparent agreements between parties providing resources and those possessing the technology to utilise them.
He said the economic interests and rights of tribal people must remain central to decisions concerning their region.
Clarifies remarks about Khawaja
Responding to criticism over his political remarks, Fazlur Rehman described Defence Minister Khawaja Asif as an elder brother and a respected figure.
He said he had merely “tickled” Khawaja Asif in a lighthearted manner, although the latter appeared genuinely upset the following day.
Rejecting suggestions that he should leave Pakistan for Afghanistan, the JUI-F chief said he had no personal dispute with anyone and was simply exercising his right as a Pakistani citizen to seek answers from the authorities.
Recalls PTI-government negotiations
Recalling his role in negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Fazlur Rehman said he had reservations about certain demands and methods adopted by the party during its long march.
He said a government delegation had subsequently approached him with an invitation from the prime minister for a meeting. However, he insisted that discussions should involve all relevant stakeholders through open dialogue rather than confidential meetings.
According to Fazlur Rehman, the prime minister proposed a possible solution, which he subsequently discussed with the PTI leadership while also presenting his own recommendations.
He said there had initially been hopes of reaching a consensus, but Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar later informed him over the telephone that the Cabinet had not agreed to the proposals. Governor’s Rule was imposed afterwards, he added.
Emphasising the importance of political commitments, he said politics could not function on the basis of broken promises and misleading narratives.
Sympathy for terrorism
The JUI-F chief also rejected allegations that his party had a soft corner for terrorism, calling for political parties to be allowed to operate freely in a democratic environment.
He said political differences should not be used to restrict democratic activity or intimidate party workers.
Concluding his address, Fazlur Rehman declared that JUI-F would not abandon its political course under pressure or threats. He maintained that party workers would remain committed to their struggle and that political disagreements should be resolved through dialogue, democratic principles and constitutional means.
