Governor’s rule, emergency: Fazl terms move unconstitutional

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the federal government’s decision to impose governor’s rule, emergency and declare a state of emergency, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman termed the move unconstitutional. He asserted that the step would not be accepted under any circumstances and announced that JUI would challenge it across public, judicial, and parliamentary platforms.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Fazl said they would struggle for the restoration of constitutional rights. He stated they would not tolerate the unconstitutional move for even a moment.

Fazl revealed that he was involved in the reconciliation between federal government and PTI and held several meetings with the government and Opposition. He said he also held meetings with Prime Minister on Sunday morning too. Both sides were locked in a “you go first” standoff, he said.

“Opposition leaders, including the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, came to me and asked me to play a role. The next day, federal ministers visited me and at the request of both sides, I intervened”, he said.

He said the government clearly stated that the long march must be called off first. The PTI demanded permission to meet Khan. PTI insisted that the court order to transfer Imran Khan to a hospital be implemented.

Fazl said he took KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi into confidence. Sohail Afridi, Barrister Gohar, and Asad Qaiser all participated in a conference call. JUI asked PTI about calling off the long march. Sohail Afridi stated that if their demands were accepted, they would end the long march.

JUI chief said he told the Prime Minister that they were willing to call off the long march. I asked the Prime Minister to promise that a meeting with Imran. The Prime Minister informed that a cabinet meeting could be held in the evening. JUI chief further said he intended to take two leaders each from the PTI and the PML-N and advance the talk under his (my) supervision. Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called JUI chief from the cabinet meeting.

JUI chief said he questioned Dar told him government wanted to declare a state of emergency due to wave of terrorism. Fazl said he asked Ishaq Dar why Governor’s Rule was not imposed in Balochistan, given that the situation there is even worse than in KP. Ishaq Dar said that after 9/11, they did not oppose the American war.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026