PESHAWAR: JUI-F Chief and head of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman once again criticised PTI Chairman Imran Khan and reminded him that only Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has authority to appoint next Army Chief. Speaking during a meeting of JUI-F’s provincial general council, Fazl while referring to Khan’s ouster from power in April said that PDM had successfully crushed “fitna”.

“Every time he delivers a speech, he only blows his own trumpet,” JUI-F chief said as he berated Khan’s government for handing over Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman back to his country within 24 hours. Fazl also called out PTI-led government for “holding State Bank of Pakistan hostage to demands of IMF.” In response to Khan’s statements regarding appointment of Army Chief and elections in country, Fazl said, “In past, Khan used to say that Army Chief should be dismissed but now he wants his tenure to be extended. But let us remind him that Army Chief will be appointed by PM Shehbaz.”

He said that since Khan had been “proven guilty in foreign funding case,” he has adopted certain tactics to subvert truth. “If courts issue a decision against Khan, he calls judiciary to be wrong. And if Election Commission of Pakistan gives a verdict against him, then he accuses body and chief election commissioner of being biased.” “Khan talks about calling on public and not giving more time to government if election date is not announced. But who has asked him to give ultimatums to government?”

He then said that polls in country will be held as per decision of coalition government. “Try calling on public. Hakeem Rana Sanaullah is waiting for you,” he said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 19 2022

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