Fazl calls for national dialogue over security, political crisis

QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called for a national dialogue to deal with what he described as Pakistan’s deepening political and security challenges. Speaking at a press conference in Quetta on Tuesday, he said the governments had lost their writ in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the security situation worsened.

The JUI-F leader said armed groups had become increasingly active, leaving people feeling unsafe both on the move and, in some cases, even inside their homes. He argued that the country’s problems could not be solved through force alone and said the absence of a comprehensive national policy had prevented progress on key issues.

According to Dawn, Fazl said his party believed in dialogue and was prepared to convene a nationwide multi-party conference if needed to help steer the country out of crisis. He also said the JUI-F had significant street power.

Fazl used the briefing to criticise Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi over comments about creating new provinces. He asked whether the remarks were made in a personal capacity or on behalf of the federal government, and questioned whether Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been consulted before the statement.

He urged the prime minister to clarify the government’s position and said that if the current system had failed, then either Mr Naqvi should ask the government to resign or step down himself. He added that it was not possible to continue in office while making sweeping statements.

On the question of new provinces, the JUI-F chief said his party was not opposed in principle to the idea. However, he said the debate needed to be placed within a broader national discussion about Pakistan’s political direction and security challenges.

The call from Fazlur Rehman adds to pressure on the federal and provincial governments at a time when security concerns remain a central public issue in parts of the country, especially in Balochistan and KP.

For now, the JUI-F chief says the answer lies in bringing political forces together rather than relying on forceful responses alone.

FAQ

What did Maulana Fazlur Rehman demand?

He called for a national dialogue and said a multi-party conference could be convened if necessary.

Which provinces did he say had lost writ?

He named Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

What was his main criticism?

He said the government had failed to address the country’s multiple challenges because there was no comprehensive national policy.