JUI-F to boycott election for prime minister, says Maulana Fazl

In a major development, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday announced that his party would sit on the opposition benches in the National Assembly (NA), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The JUI-F chief also announced the boycott of elections for the seats of speaker, deputy speaker as well as prime minister. “We have no right to be the part of the parliament whose destiny is in the hands of the country’s establishment,” Fazl said, adding, “We think that the present National Assembly is more representative of the establishment than of the masses.”

He said last night a delegation, comprising leaders of different political parties namely PML-N, PPP, BAP and IPP, had visited his residence. “We had a good discussion since we are quite frank with each other,” he said, adding, “But this does not mean that we will participate in voting.”  

Fazl does not see National Assembly completing its term

Earlier on Thursday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he did not think the present National Assembly (NA) would complete its five-year term.

Talking to reporters, Fazl, who had made allegations of rigging soon after the general elections, also refused to give the gathering of newly elected MNAs the status of an assembly. “Does it look like an assembly to you?” he questioned the reporter.

Fazl meets Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani

Later, Fazl had a meeting with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Abdul Aleem Khan at the former’s chamber.

Quoting its sources, 24News channel reported that the JUI-F chief was chatting with one of his party members, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, when Sanjrani walked up to him and took him to his chamber.

Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) President Khalid Magsi, Mirza Muhammad Afridi and others were also present on the occasion.

The country’s overall political situation came under discussion at the meeting.

Reporter: Usman Khan