Top Pakistan Cleric Challenges Army's Role and Foreign Policy
In a significant recent development, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the prominent leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party, has openly criticized Pakistan's military and its foreign policy. His remarks highlight growing internal debate within Pakistan about national priorities and regional stability.
Questioning India-Pakistan Stance Amid Afghanistan Conflict
Speaking to journalists, Maulana Fazlur Rehman delivered a strong message regarding Pakistan's approach to its neighbors. He argued that Pakistan should not object to actions taken by India if Pakistan itself is engaged in military activities within Afghanistan.
Rehman directly challenged the country's justification for cross-border operations. He stated, "If Pakistan claims it's right to attack Afghanistan because it's targeting enemies there, then why does it protest when India targets its own perceived enemies within Pakistan, for instance, in areas like Bahawalpur and Murid?" This statement underscores a perceived double standard in India-Pakistan relations.
The JUI-F chief further cautioned that ongoing disagreements between Pakistan and India would only escalate instability across the region. He emphasized that peaceful dialogue and consistent political engagement are the only viable, long-term solutions for fostering regional peace.
Cleric Demands Civilian Supremacy Over Military
Beyond foreign policy, Maulana Fazlur Rehman also directed sharp criticism at Pakistan's armed forces. According to reports from local newspaper The Express Tribune, Rehman asserted that true political power belongs to the people and their elected representatives, not to the military establishment.
"The right to political strength does not belong to defense institutions; it rests with the citizens and their politicians," Rehman declared. This bold statement highlights a critical discussion about the army's role in governance and national decision-making.
He further stressed that a nation's progress is fundamentally tied to upholding the constitution as the supreme law, rather than allowing any single institution to dominate others. The senior cleric-politician also voiced strong opposition to the idea of deploying Pakistani troops to Palestine, adding another layer to his critique of government policy.
Reflecting on Afghanistan Policy: A Call for Internal Review
Addressing Pakistan's long-standing relationship with Afghanistan, Fazlur Rehman pointed out a historical pattern. He noted that no Afghan government, spanning from King Zahir Shah's era to the administration of Ashraf Ghani, has consistently maintained a genuinely friendly relationship with Pakistan.
This observation led Rehman to pose a critical question: Does this persistent lack of warmth from successive Afghan governments indicate fundamental flaws in Pakistan's own foreign policy towards its western neighbor? He concluded that simply blaming Afghanistan is unproductive and called for an honest, internal discussion within Pakistan to review and potentially reform its Afghanistan policy.
