Political turmoil is intensifying in Pakistan. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is now openly challenging the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He had earlier strongly opposed the government’s child marriage law, and has now raised serious questions on the country’s foreign policy, security setup and the role of the military.
According to a report in Tolo News, speaking at an event, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Pakistan has lost its old friends due to its wrong policies. He specifically mentioned China and Afghanistan, and said that the countries which Pakistan considered its closest allies are now angry with it. He alleged that Pakistan’s Afghan policy has been a complete failure in the last 78 years.
Fazlur Rehman raised questions
Fazlur Rehman questioned that when trade with Afghanistan is almost closed and even pomegranates and watermelons from there are not reaching Pakistan, then how are the terrorists able to cross the border. He also told that Afghanistan shares its border with China and Iran, yet why the problem of terrorism is seen only in Pakistan. He also criticized the Pakistani Army, saying that differing opinions within the army had weakened the country’s foreign policy. Some people talk of peace, some of war, but no consensus is being reached.
Maulana talked about relations with China
Maulana Fazlur Rehman also criticized the government regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said that the current government has failed to regain the trust of China. New investment is not coming, and projects are not moving forward. He said that even during the government of Imran Khan, the pace of this project was slow, and even today the situation is the same. He warned that if Pakistan continues to be isolated internationally, the country will not be able to progress. The public is demanding answers from the government. This is not the first time that Fazlur Rehman has attacked the Shehbaz government. Earlier, he had openly opposed the child marriage law in Parliament. Now, he has cornered the government not only on domestic issues but also on the foreign policy front.