Fazlur Rehman Says He Has Never Faced Court in 34 Years of Politics

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said he has been in politics for 34 years but has never appeared before any court, and that no corruption case has been registered against him throughout his political career. He was addressing the National Education Conference.

He said he had been required to go to court only once, over the issue of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat. He claimed that notices were being circulated to damage his reputation, and asked the media to present his actual position to the nation.

He accused accountability institutions of pursuing vendetta rather than accountability. He said pressure was being applied on his family, senior party office-bearers and business associates, but that he was accustomed to pressure and would continue to raise his voice for his rights.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the government had barred students and teachers from attending its gatherings. He asked what value was placed on education, students and teachers, and who was making the decisions. In his view, education must be accompanied by training.

He claimed an attempt was under way to bring religious seminaries under government control. According to him, the recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology had been ignored so far, and rulers had legislated in their own interest.

Questioning the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said terrorism was increasing despite operations. He asked whether military operations in the tribal areas aimed to end terrorism or to seize mineral resources.

He alleged efforts were under way to take over provincial resources and reduce the NFC Award. On the merger of FATA, he said that ten years on, the decision was now being declared wrong by its own supporters.