JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman demands dismissal of government, re-election "without interference from the establishment"

Islamabad [Pakistan], Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlu Rehman demanded that the ruling coalition be dismissed and fresh elections be held without "establishment interference", ARY News told. Addressing a press conference, the JUI-F chief said his party would fully support it 'if the environment is created' for talks, noting that it is not possible for the establishment to be both "servant and ruler", Rehman said the mentality is nothing can happen without the consent of the establishment. Change is needed, according to the report Rehman claimed that the current government is 'weak' as the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is not a part of the cabinet, he said. That his party has already started a movement against the regime. “They (the government) cannot do anything in the current circumstances,” the JUI-F chief said. Also expressing concern over the country's economic plight and the prolonged financial crisis of the people, Rehman said that Pakistan's budget is in the hands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Claiming that the current government was not a democratic system, the JUI-chief said it was rather a group of individuals who have been handed power.Raising new questions over the integrity of the general elections in February, he alleged that candidates were bribed and assemblies were sold, according to AR News. Expressing grief over the political culture of seeking power and position, he termed the entire system as 'corrupt' and said that this is not politics. Expressing confidence that the people are with him, Rahman said they will vote for him if he makes a bid to become president. Prime Minister or Chief Minister, ARY News reported. Questioning whether the country's destiny was that it would sink into violence and stop progressing, he said those who are trained to fight cannot leave the country.In his maiden National Assembly speech, the JUI-F chief questioned the 'legitimacy' of the current Parliament and said it has compromised principles and "sold out democracy", underscoring that the 2018 elections were rigged. And people protested against it. Rehman said rigging in the 2024 elections was even more shameful as it resulted in 'fake representatives' being brought to power, ARY New reported.