Pakistan right-wing Islamic leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman invoked India in a speech made in the country’s National Assembly. Speaking about the difference between the two countries, Rehman, who is the leader of his faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), spoke about Pakistan’s current economic problems which he contrasted with India’s economic growth.
“Just compare India and ourselves… both countries got independence on the same day. But today they (India) are dreaming of becoming a superpower, and we are begging to avoid bankruptcy,” he said in the speech.
The main focus of Rehman’s speech was, however, devoted to supporting his party’s right-wing rival the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) whose leader Imran Khan is currently in jail, where he is barred from running for public office for at least 10 years. Accusing the ruling coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of suppressing democracy by what he termed the “rigged” 2018 elections and the current polls that were held in February this year.
“It is the right of the PTI to hold a rally,” he said. “We also objected to the 2018 election, and we object to this (February 8 polls) one too. If the 2018 poll was rigged, why is the current one not rigged?” he asked. “What kind of election is this where the losers are not satisfied and the winners are upset?” he said.
The PTI had emerged as the single largest party in the February elections with 97 seats in the National Assembly, while the PML (N) received 73 seats. The PML (N) reached an agreement to form a coalition government post the election, but the PTI who has questioned the legitimacy of the results has stated it will only talk directly to the Army.
The JUI-F was the arch-rival of PTI, and had earlier spearheaded the move for the ouster of Imran Khan. After his downfall, JUI-F became part of the coalition government. However, he parted ways with the PML-N and PPP after the elections as he alleged that the polls were rigged to keep his party out of power.
(With inputs from agencies)
