Islamabad (Web Desk): Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday announced that his party rejects results of February 8 general elections and will sit on opposition benches in parliament.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, Maulana Fazlu Rehman invited the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to join him in the opposition.
Raising concerns about the transparency of the electoral process, the JUI-F chief criticised the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the ‘polls rigging’.
"Today, our central committee met, which has rejected the election results and expressed reservations about the ECP’s role,” Maulana Fazlur Rehman said, adding that the JUI-F will play its parliamentary role and join the assemblies, but with reservations.
He said that the JUI-F is an ideological force, which will not compromise on national issues.
Fazl said that “rigging” in 2024 broke records of 2018, alleging that election commission held hostage by establishment.
Hinting at protests, he said that the decisions would apparently be made in grounds, instead of parliament.
"If the establishment thinks that the election has been transparent, then their narrative of May 9 tragedy is over," he stated, challenging the credibility of the electoral process.
Responding to questions, the JUI-F chief stated that the conflict was a matter of minds with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and not of bodies. He expressed the possibility of reconciliation if the PTI's stance changed.
Elaborating on the next strategy, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the JUI-F will will hold meetings of provincial general council in Balochistan on February 25 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on February 27. He added that two more meetings will be summoned in Karachi on March 3 and Lahore on March 5.