ISLAMABAD: With the country facing mounting debt pressure and inflation, the government’s attempt to lock down the federal capital to counter protests will only encourage rebellious tendencies among the people, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman said.

Speaking at a news conference at his residence on Monday after a central council meeting of his party, the JUI-F chief demanded that parliament should be taken into confidence on important national and foreign policy issues noting that the country was passing through a critical juncture.

The JUI-F chief also called for an in-camera session of parliament on the regional security situation.

The Maulana said some political parties had announced protests, but the government had filled Islamabad with containers ahead of the demonstrations. “By adopting such tactics, you are creating rebels yourself,” he said.

JUI-F chief demands in-camera session of parliament on govt policies, regional security situation

He said the PTI decided to hold protests and it was its right to do so. He recalled that the JUI-F had staged long marches in the past without causing damage to public property, saying even the Metro Bus service had continued to ply during the Lahore March.

‘Mediation role’

When asked by journalists, the JUI-F chief turned down the mediation offer and said that his party had reservations about this government. “We are an opposition party. How can we mediate?” he asked. He said dialogue could take place when there is a representative of the government. “The government should talk to those who are protesting. We ourselves are a party to the political dispute,” he said.

The JUI-F chief said his party considered the hybrid government nothing but a representative of the military establishment and stressed that political dialogue required a government with genuine political authority.

“We have decided to raise these issues from our own platform because economy and inflation are issues concerning everyone,” he said.

The Maulana condemned the arrest of PTI founder’s sisters, saying political workers and parties should be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to hold protest rallies. He also criticised the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, questioning circumstances in which a provincial minister was allegedly shot and taken away.

Referring to reports about possible constitutional amendments, the JUI-F chief said he would welcome provincial autonomy, but added that the issue should be discussed in the context of the constitutional position that existed 25 years ago.

He said the party had played a key role in difficult circumstances in the past, recalling that in 2003 it spent 10 days working to help bring Pakistan-India relations out of a quagmire.

He said the role played at that time should also be kept in view while discussing the political and diplomatic options available at the present.

He alleged that the country had lost the confidence of Beijing. According to him, state institutions are in a defensive position while the country is facing serious internal challenges. “The country is in difficulty and we are sitting on a powder keg,” he said, adding that the issues confronting the country should be brought before the parliament.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2026