The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) met with the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayain Pakistan (TTAP) on Friday, agreeing in principle to form a joint opposition platform in Parliament to tackle key national issues.
Speaking with media after the meeting, JUIF chief Fazlur Rehman lamented what he described as deteriorating law and order in the country, claiming two provinces were facing war-like conditions and the writ of the government was being challenged.
“The lives of citizens have become miserable and everyone feels insecure,” he said, adding the objectives behind repeated security operations had yet to be achieved despite government assurances.
He noted the opposition had raised similar concerns in the past, but no meaningful change had occurred. He said traders of the tribal areas were suffering due to the closure of Pakistan’s western border and alleged Pakistan was becoming increasingly isolated due to a loss of credibility with China.
Criticizing the government’s narrative on national affairs, he claimed the country was facing serious challenges that cannot be addressed through political distractions.
To a question on demands for new provinces, he said there was no preparation or groundwork for such a move. He said the opposition had decided to take its collective position directly to the people.
To Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for dialogue, he echoed the premier remarks of it “takes two hands to clap.” He accused the government of acting against the interests of the people.
Rehman the opposition parties would now consult their respective parties before holding another meeting to decide their future course of action.
TTAP chief Mehmood Achakzai, meanwhile, warned against attempts to take control of the country’s resources, saying he was ready to approach international courts if political forces were pushed to the wall. PTI’s Asad Qaiser and Salman Akram Raja also criticized the government, primarily over the government’s failure to implement the Supreme Court’s order for Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.