Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has reportedly decided to block highways and lock down the entire country from Monday. Well-placed sources claim that the decision has been taken by the JUI-F’s leadership without consulting the other opposition parties. However, these claims could be independently verified.
It has also been learned that the recommendation to block highways across the country was put forward during the meeting of the Rehbar Committee in Islamabad, the sources said. PPP and PML-N were supposed to give their reply over countrywide lockdown to Rehbar Committee today, but they didn’t respond despite contacts made by Rehbar Committee members, sources revealed.
قومی اسمبلی میں حکومتی مذاکراتی کمیٹی کے سربراہ کے لب و لہجے نے اس بات کو ثابت کردیا کہ یہ لوگ مفاہمت کے جذبہ سے عاری ہیں ، یہ نااہل حکومت صدارتی آرڈیننس کو جاری کراکر عجلت میں انہیں پاس کرارہی ہے واضح بتانا چاہتا ہوں کہ ان جبری قوانین کی کوئی حیثیت نہیں #AzadiMarch_UpDates pic.twitter.com/WZev7se4IJ
— Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) November 8, 2019
Earlier during his address to the protesters, the JUI-F’s chief has said that “let me assure you one thing, resolutions of a fake assembly like this and its legislations have no legal value. These are forced laws and the nation would never accept executive orders of the controversial Prime Minister.”
He also demanded the resignation of the premier.
چھوڑ دو اب پاکستان کی جان ، گو عمران گو عمران pic.twitter.com/40TnQTHYNz
— Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) November 8, 2019
It is important to note that yesterday Maulana was informed through Ch. Pervez Elahi that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was ready to form a judicial or parliamentary commission to probe into allegations of rigging in the 2018 general elections. However, stubborn Maulana has categorically rejected the offer and demanded the premier’s resignation at any cost.
Just sat with #MaulanaFazlurRehman 4over an hour, what many are seeing as soon-will-fizzle out sit-in is no joke, nor is his conviction & the extent hes willing to go till. Dialogue is just timepass he says, for an idea of what hes thinking watch @newseyeofficial @Dawn_News 10pm pic.twitter.com/VfO5e7vBb4
— Meher Bokhari (@meherbokhari) November 7, 2019
“There will be chaos in the country if the prime minister does not resign. We are not afraid of anything. We cannot go back,” Maulana said.
https://twitter.com/meherbokhari/status/1192491755607875584?s=20
He also repeatedly asked the premier to step down. “You are at a dead end now and now you must decide whether you want to continue to remain there or come out and give back the people their right,” said the JUI-F chief.
Read more: Maulana Threatens Of Chaos & Dead Bodies Falling: Fighting For Pakistan?
Analysts believe Maulana is ‘so frustrated’ that he can compromise on the law and order situation in the country. He is now openly threatening the entire system that “if the government does not step aside, there will be bloodshed,” Maulana has said.
Maulana, a man who enjoyed privilege, in every government for past 30 years, is so frustrated after 14 months out of power, that he is shamelessly threatening to create mayhem, anarchy and deaths? says: country should go to hell, Sad! he was so dependent upon "position"? https://t.co/RCuo5bsyL7
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) November 7, 2019
Since Maulana has threatened to create chaos in the country if the premier does not stepdown, the government is left with a few options. Political commentators believe that there needs to be a political settlement between the government and these protesters so that the JUI-F’s chief gets something for his face-saving. But there are slim chances of ending the sit-in any time soon.
Dr. Moeed Pirzada, a prominent columnist and TV anchor, questions the wisdom behind granting permission to Maulana and his political aides to hold a protest in Islamabad. He believes that the mob can go anywhere now since the leaders have announced that they will not be able to control it if the premier does not tender his resignation.
Read more: Fazal Ur Rehman- Fighting for Islam or Islamabad?
He suggested that the government should take the nation into confidence on the matter. “Everyone should be told that Maulana is not abiding by the agreement he signed with the local administration,” he said. Dr. Pirzada thinks that a well-shaped narrative shall help the government to create a context in which it can carry out an operation against the miscreants.