ISLAMABAD: A split has emerged in the coalition parties of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government as Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) demanded the organization of fresh elections at the earliest.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman tabled the demand for fresh elections while addressing an event in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) capital Peshawar. He said that the tenure of the new government would not be more than one year.
The politician said that JUI-F has its own existence and identity. He added that JUI-F demands the new government to immediately organise fresh elections in the country.
He claimed that JUI-F has successfully ousted Imran Khan from the prime minister’s office and they now want to allow the nation to choose its rulers through fresh elections.
PPP divided over key slots in federal govt, Fazlur Rehman’s presidency
The split in opinions of the coalition parties emerged just one week after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took oath after the ouster of Imran Khan from the office.
Interesting statement by JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman demanding early election like the PTI, clearly stating that the current government should not prolong its tenure beyond the given mandate of electoral reforms. Indicating cracks within the PDM alliance. pic.twitter.com/jMiLDU6vWM
— Iftikhar Firdous (@IftikharFirdous) April 18, 2022
Meanwhile, the PML-N government has failed to announce its federal cabinet as the coalition parties have turned on bargaining mode for key ministries and federal positions.
He suggested the incumbent government go for inevitable electoral reforms to remove any flaws in the organisation of the fair elections. Fazlur Rehman said that the coalition parties have struggled together to oust the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and they should have held consultations again.
He added that such an impression should not be given to the nation that the coalition parties ended their unity, otherwise, the rivals will take advantage of the differences. He urged the coalition parties to focus on the future strategy. Fazl said that a disagreement on principle should be called a cause.
The JUI-F supremo said that his political party has given its stance on principle regarding the vote-rigging in the 2018 general elections and struggled against the illegitimate government along with the nation.
Sources told New360 that PML-N and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have excused from giving the presidency to Maulana Fazlur Rehman due to external pressure, whereas, they offered some key positions to JUI-F including National Assembly (NA) deputy speaker, Balochistan and KP governorship.
It emerged that the two major parties, PPP and PML-N have distributed important ministries and positions that led JUI-F to express reservations. However, Fazlur Rehman offered to support the new government for electoral reforms.
Sources added that PPP has sensed the JUI-F’s expected political move, therefore, they summoned applications of the candidates for the NA and the provincial assemblies.
Political analysts said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan also demanded the organisation of fresh elections, whereas, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also joined the call.