ISLAMABAD: Maulana Fazl ur-Rehman, president of his faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), has called on the coalition government to hold “immediate” elections just days after the opposition alliance ousted the Imran Khan-led government through a successful no-confidence motion.
Addressing his party workers in Islamabad, Fazl said the new setup of unified opposition would operate “for a year at the most”.
“In this new government, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam has its own identity and we are telling them (coalition members) that we want elections immediately,” he added.
Referring to the former prime minister without naming him, Fazl said: “Even though he is gone and we sent him packing [sic], it is still our responsibility to return to the people the amanat that we struggled for.”
He suggested electoral reforms as a solution to any reservations that coalition partners in the new setup may have with regard to the electoral system and possibilities of rigging.
“We will support the initiative [of reforms],” he said, adding: “But political expediency has a limit.”
“We believe there is no reason to extend your stay at the office a moment longer than necessary.”
