Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA: A new opposition alliance comprising religious and nationalist parties was formed in Quetta on Monday. The coalition, spearheaded by Maulana Fazal ur Rehman, Chief of Jamiat ul Ulema e Islam (JUI), aims to challenge the Shehbaz Sharif-led government and advocate for the supremacy of parliament and the constitution.
During a press conference, Maulana Fazal ur Rehman announced the formation of the alliance, which includes key political figures such as Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, Chief of the National Party; Khushal Khan Kakar, Chairman of the Pashtoonkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP); Asghar Khan Achakzai, Provincial Chief of Awami National Party (ANP); Abdul Khaliq Hazara, Chief of the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP); and Ahmed Jan of the National Democratic Movement (NDM).
“The February 8 polls were rigged elections,” asserted Maulana Fazal ur Rehman. “This new alliance will struggle for the supremacy of parliament and the constitution in the country.”
Responding to a question about the federal government’s decision to launch the Azm-e-Istehkam operation, the Maulana criticized it as an “Adm-e-Istehkam operation” and voiced his opposition to the new operation. He urged the government to accept the demands of the protesters in the Chaman sit-in, warning that the non-acceptance of these demands was casting doubts on the patriotism of those in power.
“There is an understanding among all allies about issues relating to the country,” Rehman emphasized, dispelling rumors about his party’s involvement in any potential change in the provincial government in Balochistan. “This is fake news,” he responded firmly to a question about the possible change in Balochistan.
Addressing broader concerns, Maulana Fazal ur Rehman painted a grim picture of the current state of the nation. “There is no writ of the state in the country,” he stated. “Armed organizations are currently openly controlling all areas. Why has our police become so helpless? Why is the country being further weakened?”
“We did not get the country so that we could live a life of slavery,” he continued. “Shahbaz Sharif is only sitting on the chair of Prime Minister. We have to set our destination with new thinking. We have reached here because of non-implementation of the constitution.”
The formation of this new opposition alliance signals a significant political development, with various factions uniting against the current government, indicating a period of heightened political activity and potential challenges ahead for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration.
