Fazlur Rehman himself sought governor’s rule in KP, claims Abid Sher Ali

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) central leader Senator Abid Sher Ali has said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman himself asked the government to impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and that it was his own wish.

He said Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s concern in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a share in the spoils, and that he was on board on the issue of governor’s rule.

In an interview, Abid Sher Ali said Maulana Fazlur Rehman should set aside his malign political designs, stop abusing the state and do politics in a political manner.

He alleged that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had abused the state and abused “our mother”, and that the nation could never forget his speech against the martyrs. He said nobody could be allowed to abuse the state.

Abid Sher Ali said Maulana Fazlur Rehman had made many decisions in the past for his political interests. His role in constitutional amendments and political alliances after 2002 could also be debated.

He alleged that Maulana Fazlur Rehman, to serve his political ends, had struck deals with Pervez Musharraf and was responsible for damaging the opposition’s unity. He said political leaders should also explain their past decisions and present stance.

On the future of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said it had been extended through an act of parliament, and if conditions did not improve, parliament could decide on a further extension.

According to him, the length of governor’s rule would depend on the law and order situation in the province. If conditions improved, matters could be brought back to normal even before six months. If conditions returned to normal after six months, nobody would object to the restoration of the elected government in line with democratic principles.

However, he said, the situation could be different if unrest and governance problems persisted in the province.

If a proposal to create new administrative units or provinces came up, it should be debated in detail in parliament. Besides members of the National Assembly, the Senate and the provincial assemblies, the views of the people and voters of the provinces concerned should also be heard. There were two ways to learn public opinion, elections and a referendum, but public awareness was necessary before a referendum.

Asked about the 28th constitutional amendment, he said there had been no formal discussion on the matter in the PML-N yet.

He stressed the need to call an all parties conference in view of the current national crises, and said talks should focus on national issues rather than political differences.

Abid Sher Ali said he had met Nawaz Sharif a month earlier. His health was perfectly fine and he remained concerned about the country’s affairs. He said government responsibilities rested with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, but Nawaz Sharif was consulted on party matters.