“I am and will remain part of the opposition,” declared JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, despite the government’s efforts to win his support in Parliament. The government is currently trying to rally support from its allies and dissatisfied partners ahead of potential judiciary-related legislation.
Fazl made these remarks during a meeting with former senator Muhammad Ali Durrani at his Islamabad residence. His statement comes after he seemingly toned down his criticism of the coalition government led by the PML-N, following months of accusing them of election rigging in the February 8 polls.
Last week, Fazl had addressed the National Assembly, suggesting that the current “Form 45 or 47” parliament—a reference to alleged election result manipulation—should be used to tackle national issues. This stance drew sharp criticism from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which accused him of legitimizing the current regime amid the ongoing parliamentary cooperation between the two parties.
Sources informed Geo News that Muhammad Ali Durrani and Maulana Fazl held an extensive discussion on political issues and future strategies during their meeting. Durrani also updated Fazl on his political interactions.
Fazl emphasized that the current rulers would not succeed in passing any legislation that contradicts the Constitution and democratic principles. He asserted that supporting such a government would only alienate the people. “We want to come to power solely through the votes of the people of Pakistan,” he added, vowing to prevent anyone from undermining their mandate again.
In response, Durrani praised Fazl for standing “on the right side of history,” acknowledging his dedication to political traditions and democratic values.
This development follows the government’s intensified efforts to win over Fazl, with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meeting him earlier this month to address his concerns.
Before the 2024 general elections, Fazl was a key ally of the PML-N and PPP, leading the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which successfully removed former premier Imran Khan from office through a no-confidence motion in 2022.
