NA Opposition Leader Achakzai Warns of Disruption of Parliament Over Imran Gathering Restrictions
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, JUI-F chief. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday said two provinces, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, had become centers of insecurity and terrorism.
“Will we continue celebrating Marka-e-Haq’s victory while people die?” he asked while addressing the National Assembly. Marka-e-Haq refers to the four-day standoff between India and Pakistan that began on May 6 after the Indian attack on some sites inside Pakistan.
Fazl said he was speaking “in an atmosphere of blood”, regretting that repeated discussions on national issues were not broadcast to the public.
“We support the Constitution and we are being punished for it,” he said, recalling that dozens of funerals had been held in Bajaur after a single incident.
He criticized the prolonged security operations, saying they had not produced results, comparing them to a disease that worsens despite treatment. He also questioned economic policies and asked why oil prices were higher in Pakistan despite global trends.
NA Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai followed up with a forceful speech in which he gave the government a one-week ultimatum to ensure medical treatment and meetings for jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.
He alleged that the February 8, 2024 election had been rigged, claiming that a party that won the public mandate had been reduced to a minority.
“Is any parliament born through buying and selling?” he asked, adding that the opposition had attempted to run the house despite considering it illegitimate. Achakzai said that if restrictions on meetings with Imran Khan continued, the opposition would not allow parliament to function.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai later met at the opposition lobby of Parliament to discuss the overall political situation, parliamentary affairs and coordination between opposition parties.
The meeting came as opposition groups flagged plans for protests against rising inflation and fuel prices.
Earlier, the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution paying tribute to the armed forces for their response to Indian actions in May last year.
Promoted by the Minister of Justice, the resolution praised the professionalism and preparedness demonstrated during the conflict and reaffirmed national unity in defending the country’s sovereignty.
In parallel, the Senate session chaired by Yousaf Raza Gilani witnessed a heated debate on inflation, oil prices and fiscal policies.
PTI senator Ali Zafar said rising fuel costs were a result of government policies and excessive taxes, pointing out that more than Rs 117 per liter was being collected in taxes on petrol. He argued that despite the fall in global prices, relief was not being passed on to consumers.
