NEW DELHI: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief and Pakistani opposition leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in his inaugural address on the floor of the National Assembly (NA) post the 2024 elections, drew a stark contrast with India, asserting, “India is dreaming of becoming a superpower, while we are begging to avoid bankruptcy. Who is responsible for this?”
Rehman, while taking a veiled jibe at Pakistan‘s Army, claimed that hidden forces are pulling the strings behind the scenes, making elected officials mere puppets.”There are powers behind the walls controlling us, and they make decisions while we are just puppets,” he asserted, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the current parliament and accusing its members of compromising their principles and “selling democracy.”
The opposition leader expressed his concerns about the state of representation in Pakistan, questioning whether the parliament truly reflects the people’s will. He alleged that governments are formed in palaces, and bureaucrats determine who becomes the Prime Minister.
Rehman asked, “How long will we continue to compromise? How long will we seek help from external forces for being elected as a lawmaker?”
He criticized the alleged rigging in both the 2018 and 2024 elections, condemning the rise of supposedly fake representatives to power. Rehman expressed his dissatisfaction with the lawmakers’ inability to legislate independently and raised concerns about accountability in a country facing security challenges. “How can our conscience be clear when sitting in this assembly, as both the losers and winners are not satisfied,” he questioned.
Rehman accused the current assemblies of being “sold off” and lamented the presence of individuals who do not adhere to Pakistan’s founding principles in positions of power. He emphasized the burden of national debt on every Pakistani citizen and criticized the nation’s stagnation, stating that such conditions hinder progress. “We have made our country a victim of stagnation, such nations cannot progress,” he added.
Furthermore, Rehman called for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to be allowed to hold public gatherings, emphasizing the importance of democratic rights. He announced plans for a ‘million march’ in Karachi and Peshawar on May 2 and May 9, respectively, warning authorities against any attempts to obstruct the demonstrations. “The people’s flood cannot be stopped, and those who try will face the consequences,” Rehman cautioned.
Rehman, while taking a veiled jibe at Pakistan‘s Army, claimed that hidden forces are pulling the strings behind the scenes, making elected officials mere puppets.”There are powers behind the walls controlling us, and they make decisions while we are just puppets,” he asserted, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the current parliament and accusing its members of compromising their principles and “selling democracy.”
The opposition leader expressed his concerns about the state of representation in Pakistan, questioning whether the parliament truly reflects the people’s will. He alleged that governments are formed in palaces, and bureaucrats determine who becomes the Prime Minister.
Rehman asked, “How long will we continue to compromise? How long will we seek help from external forces for being elected as a lawmaker?”
He criticized the alleged rigging in both the 2018 and 2024 elections, condemning the rise of supposedly fake representatives to power. Rehman expressed his dissatisfaction with the lawmakers’ inability to legislate independently and raised concerns about accountability in a country facing security challenges. “How can our conscience be clear when sitting in this assembly, as both the losers and winners are not satisfied,” he questioned.
Rehman accused the current assemblies of being “sold off” and lamented the presence of individuals who do not adhere to Pakistan’s founding principles in positions of power. He emphasized the burden of national debt on every Pakistani citizen and criticized the nation’s stagnation, stating that such conditions hinder progress. “We have made our country a victim of stagnation, such nations cannot progress,” he added.
Furthermore, Rehman called for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to be allowed to hold public gatherings, emphasizing the importance of democratic rights. He announced plans for a ‘million march’ in Karachi and Peshawar on May 2 and May 9, respectively, warning authorities against any attempts to obstruct the demonstrations. “The people’s flood cannot be stopped, and those who try will face the consequences,” Rehman cautioned.