Pakistan's prominent right-wing Islamic leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman unexpectedly voiced support for his former rival, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), affirming their right to hold rallies and possibly govern. In a fiery speech at the National Assembly, Rehman, the head of his faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), criticized the influential establishment for allegedly manipulating the political system.

He acknowledged PTI's right to rally, while also questioning the fairness of recent elections, drawing parallels with previous contests. Rehman urged the ruling coalition, consisting of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan Peoples Party, to permit PTI to form a government if they held a parliamentary majority.

Expressing disillusionment with the establishment and bureaucracy's role in elections and governance, Rehman accused them of hindering progress and blamed them for electoral dissatisfaction.

He compared Pakistan's trajectory unfavorably with India's advancements, highlighting economic and political differences since their shared independence in 1947. Rehman criticized the international financial dependence of Pakistan, contrasting it with India's strides towards global prominence.

Furthermore, Rehman lamented the neglect of Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) recommendations, advocating for the preservation of Islamic values in governance. He criticized Pakistan's secular tendencies since 1973, citing the lack of CII recommendations' implementation as evidence of the country's departure from its Islamic founding.

Rehman's alliance with PTI, previously a fierce opponent, signaled a strategic shift possibly aimed at pressuring the establishment and government for greater political influence. His departure from the ruling coalition post-elections stemmed from allegations of electoral rigging against his party.

Many observers interpret Rehman's support for PTI as a bargaining tactic to secure a more substantial political role for JUI-F in Pakistan's political landscape.

Pakistan's prominent right-wing Islamic leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman unexpectedly voiced support for his former rival, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), affirming their right to hold rallies and possibly govern. In a fiery speech at the National Assembly, Rehman, the head of his faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), criticized the influential establishment for allegedly manipulating the political system.

He acknowledged PTI's right to rally, while also questioning the fairness of recent elections, drawing parallels with previous contests. Rehman urged the ruling coalition, consisting of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan Peoples Party, to permit PTI to form a government if they held a parliamentary majority.

Expressing disillusionment with the establishment and bureaucracy's role in elections and governance, Rehman accused them of hindering progress and blamed them for electoral dissatisfaction.

He compared Pakistan's trajectory unfavorably with India's advancements, highlighting economic and political differences since their shared independence in 1947. Rehman criticized the international financial dependence of Pakistan, contrasting it with India's strides towards global prominence.

Furthermore, Rehman lamented the neglect of Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) recommendations, advocating for the preservation of Islamic values in governance. He criticized Pakistan's secular tendencies since 1973, citing the lack of CII recommendations' implementation as evidence of the country's departure from its Islamic founding.

Rehman's alliance with PTI, previously a fierce opponent, signaled a strategic shift possibly aimed at pressuring the establishment and government for greater political influence. His departure from the ruling coalition post-elections stemmed from allegations of electoral rigging against his party.

Many observers interpret Rehman's support for PTI as a bargaining tactic to secure a more substantial political role for JUI-F in Pakistan's political landscape.