Fazl slams 'collapse of law & order'
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday strongly criticized the government over the deteriorating law and order situation, warning that armed groups were "roaming freely" in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Balochistan and Sindh, extorting money from the public.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the JUI-F chief rejected the Mines and Mineral Bill passed by the Balochistan Assembly, and announced that explanations had been sought from certain party lawmakers in the province who voted for the legislation.
Fazl also announced that the party would organize Palestine solidarity marches on April 27 in Lahore, May 11 in Peshawar, and May 15 in Quetta. He said that the Pakistanis would raise voice in favour of the Palestinian people, who were facing Israeli barbarism.
The JUI-F chief expressed concerns over the poor law and order in the country. "Armed groups are roaming freely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh, and they are extorting money from the business community, while the government is not providing any relief," he said. He alleged that the current government had failed to protect the lives and property of the people. "There is no government writ anywhere in K-P. The situation in K-P, Balochistan, Sindh is indescribable. Parents cannot send children to schools, the business community is worried."
He told reporters that the JUI-F General Council rejected the mine and mineral bills of both K-P and Balochistan. "Some of our members in Balochistan supported the bill. Explanation has been sought from them. If the explanation is not satisfactory, their membership will be suspended," he said.
On the occasion, he announced plans for large public marches in favour of Palestinian people. "The people of Pakistan will raise their voice in favour of Palestine and will also participate in financial jihad," he said.
Responding to a question, Fazl said that he had no intention of forming a formal opposition alliance, but added that mutual contacts would be maintained to resolve problems of the masses. He also said that at present, the opposition parties were not ready to form a big alliance.
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