MALAKAND: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has asserted that those who were offering us chai-pani (tea and water) should eat pizzas themselves, referring to DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar’s remarks in today’s press briefing.
He made the comments today (Monday) while addressing a Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — an 11-patry opposition alliance aiming to send Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government packing — gathering in Malakand.
PPP Chairman, Fazlur Rehman and other leaders reached Batkhela Tehsil of Malakand in separate convoys. However, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has decided against participating in today’s rally.
Addressing the gathering, Maulana Fazl said that the army is an institution and an integral part of the state but it must remain impartial. “Army has to explain whether it is a party and if it is a party, then our protest is justified,” he added.
He further said that there is no democracy in Pakistan today and martial law was in place similar to that of General Zia and General Musharraf. “We will bring true democracy with the help of the nation,” he maintained.
He also announced that PDM would stage a demonstration in front of the Election Commission on January 19 and would also take out an anti-Israel rally in Karachi on January 21.
The PDM chief challenged the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to arrest him, asking why the anti-graft watchdog was unable to see the corruption of the incumbent government.
Talking about the foreign funding case, he said that the case was deliberately being delayed because the money sent to PTI was from India and Israel. “The rulers of this current government have been funded by Israel, India and Ahmadis,” he concluded.
Criticizing the PTI-led federal government, Fazlur Rehman said that the ‘incompetent government’ snatched the rights of the people but “this sea of people would remove this government from power”.
“Our struggle is for reinstating people’s rights laid down in the Constitution. However, this government was bent upon tampering it,” he said, adding that the government was conspiring against the Constitution and provinces.
