Maulana Fazlur Rehman Declares: “We Didn’t Let the PTI Government Run, Nor Will We Let This One

In a fiery speech delivered during the “Sha’air-e-Islam Conference” in Battagram, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman reignited his party’s opposition to the current federal government. Declaring the 2024 general elections as “rigged and illegitimate,” he stated that his party does not accept the current government’s mandate, just as it did not recognize the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government that preceded it.

His blunt remark—”We “didn’t let the previous government function, nor will we allow this one to “function”—reflects not only the ongoing political turbulence in Pakistan but also signals a new phase of agitation politics. Fazlur Rehman, who has long been a prominent figure in opposition politics, used his platform in Battagram to condemn both the electoral system and the ruling alliance that emerged post-2024 elections.

A Legacy of Electoral Rejection

Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s criticism is rooted in his long-standing opposition to the electoral processes of 2018 and 2024. After the 2018 general elections, which brought Imran Khan’s PTI to power, the JUI-F chief launched the so-called “Azadi March” in 2019, mobilizing thousands across the country to protest what he claimed was an election stolen by “the establishment” and intelligence services. Despite massive mobilization, that movement fizzled out without yielding any immediate political change.

Now, nearly six years later, Fazlur Rehman has returned with a similar stance—this time targeting the ruling coalition that formed following the 2024 elections. He accuses the current government of being a product of the same undemocratic forces that, according to him, orchestrated past political engineering. “We did not accept the 2018 elections, and we do not accept these elections either,” he declared, calling the entire democratic process a sham.

A Call for Revolution?

More significantly, Fazlur Rehman hinted at an organized nationwide resistance movement. He promised that his party’s workers would not remain silent spectators and would instead take to the streets in protest. In words charged with revolutionary fervor, he stated, “We will bring a revolution in Pakistan. Victory will be our destiny.”

This declaration represents a radical escalation in tone. Traditionally seen as a conservative religious party focused on moral and educational issues, the JUI-F under Fazlur Rehman has become increasingly political and confrontational in recent years. By invoking the language of revolution, the Maulana is positioning himself as a populist force against what he terms a “manufactured regime.”

Resentment in Tribal Areas

Fazlur Rehman also revisited the controversial issue of the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Calling the merger “one-sided” and “a mistake,” he argued that the people of the former tribal regions were not consulted and are now deeply disillusioned. This statement may resonate in certain constituencies that have felt neglected or marginalized since the constitutional amendment that formalized the merger in 2018.

By highlighting tribal grievances, he is attempting to broaden his support base and appeal to those disenchanted by both provincial and federal governance. It also serves to position him as a defender of traditional tribal rights—a move that could pay political dividends in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and surrounding regions.

A Politician Under Pressure

Despite his bold rhetoric, Fazlur Rehman himself is under increasing scrutiny. His party failed to perform significantly in the 2024 elections, and critics accuse him of using agitation tactics to compensate for his diminishing electoral relevance. Some analysts argue that these tactics are meant to retain relevance in a political landscape that is increasingly polarized between establishment-backed parties and populist challengers.

However, dismissing his influence entirely would be a mistake. Fazlur Rehman commands a loyal base among Deobandi seminaries and tribal regions, and his street power, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Balochistan, remains significant. His ability to mobilize large numbers of people gives weight to his threats of agitation, even if they don’t always translate into formal political victories.

Conclusion

Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s latest remarks are more than just political rhetoric—they are a continuation of a long-standing narrative in Pakistani politics where electoral legitimacy is contested, and opposition leaders seek to challenge the status quo not just in parliament but on the streets. Whether this new wave of resistance will gain traction remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: Pakistan’s already fragile political stability may be tested yet again if street agitation intensifies in the months to come.

Reference:  پی ٹی آئی حکومت کو چلنے دیا نہ اس حکومت کو چلنے دیں گے: مولانا فضل الرحمن