Fazl reaffirms resolve to continue struggle against alleged rigging in polls

• Fazlur Rehman laments disregard for the sanctity of vote.
  
• JUI-F chief laments manipulation of institutions by certain elements.
• He censures acceptance of rigging by certain political parties.

PESHAWAR: Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman vowed to continue their struggle against the alleged rigging in the February 8 elections until all political parties stand united on the said issue, The News reported on Monday.

Addressing the JUI-F's office bearers from Peshawar, Mohmand, and Khyber districts virtually, Fazl recalled the JUI-F's history of opposing election rigging and stressed the party's capacity to organise protests and galvanise the public in large numbers.

"We would continue to fill grounds by staging massive protests. We would continue our struggle outside parliament against the rigged elections," the JUI-F chief said.

His remarks come as the party, along with its historically staunch rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has repeatedly challenged the transparency and legitimacy of the general elections and had even announced launching a countrywide protest movement.

The mutual concern about election rigging has led to both rival parties "agreeing on increasing party-level contacts" as the PTI too has announced its own nationwide protest movement.

The leaders of the two parties have held multiple meetings with the sources telling The News that a committee would be formed for negotiations between the parties. 

The body would finalise recommendations pertaining to rigging in elections and future course of action, the sources added.

Lamenting the disregard of certain elements of the sanctity of the vote and their tendency to manipulate institutions for their own interests, Fazl compared the February 8 polls to the 2018 general elections and censured the acceptance of rigging by certain political parties.

Criticising the lack of clarity and consensus among political parties over the issue of election rigging, the veteran politician said: "Unless and until a unanimous and unambiguous stance is adopted by all the political forces against the engineering of elections by certain invisible forces, the JUI-F alone would continue its struggle from its platform."

Calling on the party workers to raise awareness and mobilise the masses for their cause, the politico emphasised that the JUI-F was the party of the people and would represent their interests.