Fazl sees Imran as inept for holding talks

ISLAMABAD (NNI): Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman bashed on Sunday Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, saying the latter was inept for negotiations.
Addressing the press conference, the PDM President has alleged that Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed and former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar were still lobbying for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, urging institution to take notice of the matter. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief claimed that ideological divisions were being witnessed within the institutions for the first time in history, adding that such things happen when ‘some outsiders’ were calling the shots.
The Maulana urged the institutions to take notice of Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed and former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar’s involvement, saying that they were still lobbying for PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
He also regretted that the country’s situation has worsened due to the policies of last three-year, alleging that whichever country starts helping, Imran Khan becomes an obstacle in its way. The PDM president also questioned holding of general elections amid ‘rising terrorism’ in the country. “Law and order situation in the country is not suitable for elections,” he said.
He also pointed out terror activities in the country, saying that several attacks were orchestrated on police stations and security forces. “There are areas where many politicians cannot visit,” he said, adding that in such a situation election cannot be held.
Last month, the Ministry of Defence had excused itself from providing security for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Assembly elections and the by-elections of 93 National Assembly constituencies.
Asserting that his party believed in elections at the given time, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, however, expressed surprise over the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in which it had ordered elections to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies within 90 days. “We believe that the elections should be held on time,” he remarked.
Fazl said that neither the party wanted the interim setup in both KP and Punjab to prolong.
“We have always respected the judiciary and abide by the Constitution and law and said that they also respect the judiciary’s decision to hold elections within 90 days. They must look at the country’s current situation,” the JUI leader asserted. At the same time, however, he said that the party had always respected courts, and stood by the constitution and the state.
Fazl also held Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government responsible for the prevailing economic crisis and ruining the country’s economy. “Today, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is preparing our budget and controlling the prices,” he added.
He said that Rs80 billion are being demanded by relevant authorities for ballet papers at a time when the state is unable to provide bread to the poor.
Speaking about the relation between the census and elections, Mr Rehman said, “The elections in the two provinces will happen in the old census.” He further said that the census is also underway in the country and they believe the elections should be held after the census.
He said that the JUI-F did not accept the legitimacy of the elections to be held in the light of the SC’s verdict. He was of the view that Imran did not have the courage to go to jail.