Addressing the National Assembly, the JUI-F chief criticises the use of force, calls for a new Charter of Democracy and urges government and opposition leaders to negotiate.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has criticised the use of force in political disputes, declaring that Pakistan belongs to all its citizens and calling on the government and opposition to pursue dialogue.
Addressing the National Assembly on October 28, 2026, Fazlur Rehman said the country’s parliament represents the people and warned that political tensions were worsening. He urged political leaders to avoid violence and resolve disagreements through constitutional and democratic means.
Calls for a New Charter of Democracy
Fazlur Rehman invited the government and opposition to sit together and establish a new Charter of Democracy, arguing that negotiations could help prevent further political confrontation.
He also discussed earlier efforts to resolve tensions surrounding a long march towards Islamabad. He described meetings with government representatives and said attempts had been made to find a peaceful solution before the situation deteriorated.
The JUI-F chief criticised the government’s handling of constitutional procedures, including the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency measures. He questioned whether authorities had succeeded in maintaining law and order in other parts of the country, including Balochistan.
Warns Against the Use of Force
Fazlur Rehman warned that choosing force over political engagement could deepen divisions. Referring to the historical figure of Pharaoh, he associated the path of violence with authoritarian rule.
He also said his party had made sacrifices in Pakistan’s political history and objected to what he described as the dismissal of those contributions.
During the speech, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said he would review the address and remove unparliamentary language from the official proceedings. The report also stated that one sentence was removed from the assembly record.
Urges Political Leaders to Negotiate
Fazlur Rehman reiterated his call for government and opposition representatives to negotiate a fresh democratic agreement and work to prevent further political instability.
His remarks came amid continuing debate over constitutional governance, the role of state institutions and political representation in Pakistan.
The proposed dialogue has not, by itself, established that a new agreement will be reached. Any progress will depend on whether the political parties agree to negotiations and develop a common framework.
