Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday called for fresh elections across Pakistan, declaring the 2018 and 2024 general polls “rigged” and unrepresentative of the people’s will. His remarks come as both ruling and opposition parties explore dialogue to ease political tensions.
Read More: Fazl reiterates demand for fresh elections in country
Speaking at Sindh Governor House in Karachi, Maulana Fazl questioned the legitimacy of existing governments formed after what he described as establishment-backed elections. He said administrations from Sindh to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be dissolved to pave the way for transparent nationwide polls.
Positioning himself as a key political figure engaged by both sides, the JUI-F chief criticised the electoral outcomes without sparing either the current government or past opposition-led administrations. He reiterated that neither the 2018 nor the 2024 elections reflected genuine public mandate.
Pakistan claims the right to strike inside Afghanistan —
but cries foul when India targets terror hubs in Bahawalpur or Muridke.
Even Pak’s politicians now see the contradiction.Maulana Fazlur Rehman openly calls out the Pak military’s double standards 👇@Theunk13 @InsightGL pic.twitter.com/xN6Ua4n8Ws
— ManhasAnupama (@manhas_anupama) December 23, 2025
Maulana Fazl also warned that recent constitutional amendments were making the Constitution “controversial and disputed.” Referring to the 27th Amendment, he alleged it was passed through a forced majority, unlike the 26th Amendment, which he said was adopted through consensus.
Turning to regional issues, he urged policymakers to reassess Pakistan’s long-standing Afghan policy. He questioned whether decades of strained relations with Kabul reflected failures in Pakistan’s own approach rather than solely external factors.
You do not grant India and Iran the right to kill their opponents inside Pakistan, so why do you grant yourself the right to carry out operations in Afghanistan?
Perhaps you made this mistake by considering Afghanistan unstable, but they have never ignored the attacks on Kabul.… pic.twitter.com/YcIbcxAi4E— سیداحمد (@SayedAh24486691) December 22, 2025
The JUI-F leader also voiced concern over reports of Pakistan potentially joining an international force in Gaza. Citing past experiences, he warned against becoming part of military alliances that could embroil Pakistan in foreign conflicts.
Later, addressing a gathering of clerics, Maulana Fazl defended the autonomy of religious seminaries. He criticised government efforts to impose certification requirements, warning such measures could jeopardise the education of thousands of students.
Read More: Fazl demands fresh elections after being re-elected JUI-F chief
He stressed that agreements reached by senior scholars should not be revisited and called for respect for religious institutions. At the same time, he expressed support for incorporating modern subjects alongside religious education to create a balanced curriculum.