JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is known as an astute politician who always plays it safe. That though seems to be about to change. When he started his 'Azadi March' under the Rahbar Committee, representing different opposition parties, to demand Prime Minister Imran Khan's resignation and fresh elections, the two major political parties, the PML-N and PPP, had indicated right at the outset that they would support the protest rally but not the sit-in, or whatever the Maulana had in his mind as 'Plan B'. The march and the sit-in having made its point, they tried to help arrive at a face-saving solution for both sides by adding two more practical points to the demands, readily accepted by the government's negotiating team. But the Maulana has remained adamant on pushing for the PM's resignation even as the PML-N and the PPP have stood back.

The JUI-F chief has now launched his 'Plan B' after ending his 13-day sit-in in Islamabad. Addressing his followers at the sit-in on Monday, he had said "even after leaving this place people will spread to other cities and towns across the country" and fight to get rid of "this illegitimate government." The party's executive committee also had held a meeting on Monday to discuss the 'Plan B' as well as the role of other political parties in the sit-in. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has already said his party fully participated in the 'Azadi March' but it never made any commitment to join the sit-in. Likewise is the position of the Nawaz League. The JUI-F's provincial chapters have been blocking highways in various parts of the country in accordance with the maulana's 'Plan B' that came into effect soon after the maulana suddenly called off sit-in on Wednesday.

The party has a democratic right to resort to protest demonstrations as long as they are peaceful, but that is not the intention. A prominent JUI-F leader from Sindh, Maulana Rashid Mehmood Soomro, had told the sit-in participants that the 'Plan B' would be tougher than the 'Plan apple', asking them to be ready for it. Explaining what it might entail he said, "You will be sent to jails, and go through hardships, and even many children may become orphans." In other words, the party is readying, its supporters, most of them madressah pupils, for a violent confrontation with the government, knowing they could end up in jails or even lose their lives. To say the least, it is unfortunate that the party should deliberately put people in the harm's way. If things come to such a pass, Maulana Fazlur Rehman would be held responsible for the consequences. It can only be hoped he will pull back from the brink, and retain his reputation of being an astute and prudent politician.