Bilawal condemns ‘political victimisation’ of JUI-F, urges govt to tolerate criticism

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday condemned what he described as government actions targeting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), saying the government should tolerate criticism from the opposition.

In a telephone conversation with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the two leaders discussed the country’s political situation, according to a press release issued by the PPP.

Bilawal denounced “political victimization” and measures taken against the JUI-F, saying a responsible opposition played an important role in a democracy and parliamentary system.

“The government should avoid steps that could weaken democracy and parliament,” he said.

Recently, the JUI-F party and its leaders faced what was described as government crackdown and political victimization.

Specifically, on November 7, the offices and residence of JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza were raided by unidentified persons, leading to harassment of his family members and vandalism. Members of the Pakistan Bar Council condemned this as an arbitrary and unlawful act aimed at harassing him.

Senator Murtaza also reportedly received unlawful notices from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and his bank accounts were frozen. These actions were linked to his association with JUI-F, led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and his criticism of state repression and the persecution of political opponents.

The tensions between the JUI-F and ruling party emerged in late October, when JUI-F chief Fazl criticised the government for imposing emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), accusing it of using terrorism as a pretext to remove the KP government. He also had lamented that his party’s sacrifices were being mocked after it disagreed with the government’s position.