Fazlur Rahman Accuses Government of Abusing Constitution by Imposing Governor’s Rule in KP

Maulana Mr. Fazlur Rahman, chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has accused the Pakistani government of abusing the Constitution by imposing governor’s rule and a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Despite his efforts to ease tensions between the federal and KP governments, the federal government imposed governor’s rule and a state of emergency in the province on October 11, citing the provincial government’s alleged lack of cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The decision drew strong criticism from opposition parties and Mr. Fazlur Rahman.

Speaking in Pakistan’s National Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Fazlur Rahman said the federal government claimed to have acted in accordance with the Constitution.

Rejecting the claim, he alleged that the government had abused the Constitution, just as ordinary laws were sometimes misused.

The veteran politician said imposing governor’s rule in KP amounted to a forced transfer of power, overriding the people’s mandate.

“I may have disagreements or grievances with the provincial government, but this is not the way to bring about change by turning everything upside down. You must return to the people for any change,” he said.

He also blamed Defence Minister Mr. Khawaja Asif for failing to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution and Parliament.

Responding to the allegations, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Mr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said governor’s rule had been imposed in KP for only six months and the state of emergency applied only to specific districts affected by terrorism.

“You have to take a side—either stand with the state of Pakistan or support Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Afghanistan,” he said.

Mr. Chaudhary said the situation in Balochistan differed from that in KP. He alleged that former KP chief minister and PTI leader Mr. Sohail Afridi had used provincial funds and resources to organise a long march towards Islamabad and had defended terrorists.

Calls for a New Charter of Democracy

Mr. Fazlur Rahman called for a new Mithaq-e-Jamhuriyat, or Charter of Democracy, to protect the country and prevent unconstitutional measures.

“This Parliament represents the people, but tolerance is gradually disappearing and the situation is deteriorating,” he said.

He described the simultaneous imposition of governor’s rule and a state of emergency in KP as unprecedented, noting that the measures applied to different parts of the province. Referring to emergency arrangements in 12 districts, he said, “Governor’s rule is in place in half of the province, while a state of emergency is in effect in the other half.”

Recalling his efforts to ease tensions during the PTI’s long march towards Islamabad, Mr. Fazlur Rahman said PTI leaders had asked him to mediate.

After talks with senior leaders of the PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he met Prime Minister Mr. Shehbaz Sharif, who urged the PTI to withdraw its long march.

Mr. Fazlur Rahman said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Ishaq Dar called him the following morning to say the cabinet had rejected the proposal and that imposing governor’s rule in KP was the only option.

He said he received another call at around 9:30am on October 11, informing him that the cabinet was discussing his mediation proposal. The government subsequently decided to impose governor’s rule and a state of emergency.

“At 10:30am, Mr. Ishaq Dar called me again and said the cabinet would not agree to the deal. They wanted to impose governor’s rule there at any cost. I told him that all our efforts since the previous day had gone to waste. I had hoped for a political settlement, but the government rejected it,” he said.

Mr. Fazlur Rahman said his efforts had been aimed at preventing bloodshed. Questioning the government’s ability to maintain law and order, he cited the abduction of commissioners in Balochistan and asked whether the situation there was worse than in KP.

“How can the federal government claim that it has succeeded in maintaining law and order?” he asked.

Defends Party’s Patriotism

Mr. Fazlur Rahman said those questioning his party’s patriotism should remember its sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He criticised what he described as mockery of the party’s martyrs and contributions.

A few days after the emergency was imposed in KP, he accused the government of depriving provinces of their rights and questioned claims that the provincial government was not cooperating in counterterrorism efforts.

After several federal ministers criticised him, he clarified that his criticism of government policies was intended to bring about policy changes, not weaken any institution.

“My party is a party of martyrs. You fail to see our martyrs, and our sacrifices are being mocked,” he told Parliament.

He said Pakistan belonged to all its citizens and was not the exclusive property of any individual. He also questioned the government’s policy on distributing mineral resources.

Warning that his party was mobilising political forces to resist what he called constitutional violations and aggression, he said the JUI-F had never crossed any red lines.

Urging the government to abandon its policy of force, he said, “If the government is prepared for confrontation, we are ready to face it too. We are willing to die at your hands, but we are not willing to die as criminals in the pages of history. If you want confrontation, we are ready and waiting right here.”

He added that the state was like a mother but was not treating all its children equally and fairly.

The federal government imposed a state of emergency and governor’s rule in KP on October 11 under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, following a recommendation from the federal cabinet and approval from the president. Opposition parties strongly criticised the decision.

Besides Mr. Fazlur Rahman, senior leaders Mr. Mahmood Khan Achakzai of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan and Mr. Raja Nasir Abbas also opposed the move.

Tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP administration had escalated after the party of jailed former prime minister Mr. Imran Khan called for a march towards Islamabad demanding his release.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mr. Mohsin Naqvi appeared to target Mr. Fazlur Rahman on October 16, saying a political party chief was frustrated at failing to influence the formation of a new government in KP and secure the governor’s post.

Speaking to journalists in Lahore, Mr. Naqvi alleged that the politician had relied on the establishment for decades to sustain his political career.

The following day, Mr. Fazlur Rahman rejected the remarks by federal ministers, describing them as a smear campaign and an attempt at character assassination.