Fazlur Rehman demands fresh elections in Pakistan, says PML-N govt should step down

Islamabad : Terming the February 8, 2024 general elections as “rigged”, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday reiterated his call for fresh elections in the country.

The JUI-F chief made the remarks after attending a dinner hosted by PTI senior leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser. Leaders from the opposition parties, including Awam Pakistan party leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, met at the dinner.

During his interaction with journalists following the meeting, Fazl, who played a key role in the ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan from office through a no-confidence motion in April 2023, said that the PML-N-led government should step down and announce fresh polls.

Responding to a question, he said that the constitutional term of the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has expired, adding that there should be consultation on this matter.

The five-year term of CEC has expired on Jan 26. The government, however, legislated through the 26th Constitutional amendment to keep the serving CEC Raja till the appointment of the next head of the election regulatory body.

For his part, former prime minister Abbasi stressed the need for joint efforts for their constitutional rights. He said that a meeting of the opposition parties was held at Qaiser’s residence, during which the country’s political and security situation was discussed.

“All the [opposition] parties reiterated their stance that the incumbent government is not the representative of the people.”

The sitting reached a consensus about holding new elections in the country, he said, adding that the participants demanded to end “fascism” in the country and release political prisoners.

Earlier in the day, the former prime minister met the JUI-F chief at his residence and discussed the country’s political situation. — (Geo News)