Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman emphasized that instead of holding Afghanistan responsible for terrorism, Pakistan should focus on its own responsibilities, as it is their forces guarding the borders, not Afghanistan.
Fazlur Rehman remarked that if the Parliament does not address the attacks on the armed forces and institutions, who will? He pointed out that they are not taking the situation seriously.
He was addressing on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
On both sides, emotions have flared up—one faction has gone as far as to talk about separation, while the other side is ready to use force to deal with them, going to any length to protect the state. Such statements only exacerbate the emotional intensity, and when both sides reach extremes, it raises serious concerns about Pakistan’s security.
Fazlur Rehman stated that these issues can only be resolved by political figures, yet today, the importance of politicians is being diminished. Experienced and sensible political leadership is being sidelined, making way for inexperienced and emotional youth, which only complicates matters further.
The JUI chief suggested that politicians should be empowered and the responsibility should be handed over to them. Trying to centralize all power and making oneself the sole decision-maker might be a desire, but it can never be a solution to the problem. He questioned whether the government even has the authority to make decisions and take the opposition into confidence, and whether Parliament can take any steps.
He expressed concern that it is no secret that Pakistan has become a battleground for proxy wars. The U.S., China, CPEC, and Gwadar are all issues where one party wants to invest, but obstacles have arisen in front of mega projects. He noted that areas from Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat to Balochistan, which are part of the CPEC corridor, are under the control of militants, making any developmental work there impossible.
Fazlur Rehman voiced his concerns that in Balochistan, the situation has deteriorated to the point where the national anthem cannot be sung, nor can the flag be hoisted in some areas. He urged the need for action in this delicate situation, stating that while they may be in opposition, they are ready to step up if the country requires it. He called it the height of folly to consider Parliament, political parties, and leaders unnecessary for the country.
He pointed out that in Sindh, the dacoits are ruling, and everyone is aware of the situation in the Kacha area, but in Balochistan, the state itself is being challenged. He urged Parliament to take the lead, go to Balochistan, and engage with the people. He added that the security situation in KP is also precarious, and dialogue with the people there could help resolve it, but the current approach is only worsening the situation.
Fazlur Rehman recalled how he personally managed to control the situation by visiting Afghanistan, engaging in dialogue with all sectors there, and returning successfully after briefing the Foreign Ministry and the government, who were satisfied with the outcome.
Yet, as soon as an attack occurs, Afghanistan is immediately blamed. He questioned whether the people of Afghanistan are criminals.
If terrorists manage to cross one or two checkpoints from Afghanistan, but then cross 250 checkpoints from Quetta to Bisham, is that also Afghanistan’s responsibility? He stressed that it is our forces guarding the borders, while Afghanistan has no such forces, and thus, we need to focus on our own responsibilities rather than blaming others.
He also addressed the issue of missing persons, asserting that it is the government’s responsibility to inform the families of their loved ones’ whereabouts—whether they are alive, dead, imprisoned, or have escaped. Families deserve to know where their children are.
He further recounted that a year before the Army Public School (APS) tragedy, a young man was arrested.
When hangings were carried out for the APS attack, that young man was also included among those executed, being labeled as a participant in the APS attack and a murderer, even though he had been detained a year earlier.
He expressed his desire for the nation to trust the military, but warned that such actions are only fueling hatred, which may not dissipate for several generations.
