Ali Hamza, Qaseem Shah:Â
QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned that the writ of the state has significantly weakened in parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leaving many residents reluctant to travel through their own regions due to growing security concerns.
Speaking at a press conference in Quetta on Tuesday, the veteran politician said the country’s worsening political and security challenges cannot be resolved through the use of force. He maintained that those responsible for decision-making are fully aware of the gravity of the situation and stressed that strict adherence to the Constitution is the only sustainable path toward stability.
Commenting on recent discussions about administrative restructuring, Fazlur Rehman cautioned against changing provincial boundaries without the consent of the people. He said provinces cannot be divided arbitrarily and emphasized that any such decision must reflect the will of local communities and follow broad public consultation.
The JUI-F chief also urged Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai to convene an all-opposition conference, saying the current political climate requires greater unity among opposition parties.
Criticising the federal government, Fazlur Rehman questioned Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi over recent remarks acknowledging failures in governance. He argued that if a senior cabinet member believes the system is no longer functioning effectively, resigning from office would be the appropriate course of action.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s political history, he said neither democratic governments nor military administrations have achieved lasting success because political leadership has not been allowed to function independently. He added that military interventions repeatedly undermined constitutional governance. While noting that JUI-F participated in negotiations on the 26th Constitutional Amendment, he expressed concern over what he described as the government’s possible intentions regarding a future 28th Constitutional Amendment.
On Balochistan’s political landscape, Fazlur Rehman confirmed that JUI-F will remain in the opposition and will not join the provincial government. Referring to his recent meeting with National Party leader Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, he said it was a routine political interaction and added that he had no knowledge of any proposal to appoint Dr. Malik as the next chief minister.
Responding to calls for younger political leadership, Fazlur Rehman dismissed the idea that experience should be replaced simply in the name of change. He remarked that while young people bring energy and enthusiasm to politics, effective governance requires experience, political wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the Constitution.
