Maulana Fazlur Rehman has urged President Asif Ali Zardari to safeguard the 18th Amendment to the Constitution amid increasing political discussion regarding a possible 28th Amendment.
Speaking at a Meet the Press event organised by the Karachi Press Club in Karachi, the JUI-F chief described the 18th Amendment as a historic achievement of political parties that restored constitutional supremacy after years of military influence in governance.
Fazlur Rehman reminded the audience that the amendment was introduced during the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in 2010, when Asif Ali Zardari was serving as president. He called on Zardari to once again play a leading role in protecting the constitutional reforms that his party had previously championed.
The JUI-F leader expressed concern over reports surrounding a potential 28th Amendment, stating that the government had not provided clarity on the matter. He alleged that current legislative efforts were aimed at increasing the influence of the military establishment rather than addressing public issues such as economic instability, inflation, and law and order.
During his address, Fazlur Rehman also reiterated his demand for fresh, transparent, and fair elections, arguing that the last two general elections had severely damaged the political and democratic system of the country.
He further highlighted the security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing conditions there as deeply concerning. On the economic front, he claimed that poverty levels in Pakistan had increased significantly.
Discussing foreign relations, the JUI-F chief stressed the importance of improving ties with Afghanistan and called for an in-camera parliamentary session to review Pakistan’s foreign policy challenges.
Overall, Fazlur Rehman’s remarks have intensified the political debate surrounding constitutional reforms, democratic governance, and the future direction of Pakistan’s political system.
