ISLAMABAD (Monitoring-Desk); Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman hinted at a possible change in the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, but suggested that such a change would be more appropriate if it came from within the ruling party itself. His remarks come amid growing speculation of efforts underway to bring about a “regime change” in the province.
The comments followed recent meetings between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and key political figures from KP to assess the political climate. The PML-N-led coalition at the Centre believes that after more than a decade in power, the PTI government has failed to deliver, particularly in maintaining law and order. T
he deteriorating security situation has only reinforced this perception. Meanwhile, the PTI has warned against attempts to dislodge its provincial government through constitutional maneuvering.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Maulana Fazl said, “My advice is that there should indeed be a change in the province, but if the PTI holds the majority, then it is better that this change comes from within their own ranks.” He emphasized that it would be more stable if PTI members themselves brought about leadership changes rather than relying on the opposition to intervene.
Fazl reiterated his party’s long-standing stance that the PTI’s majority was the result of rigged elections, but acknowledged that the province could not afford political instability. Addressing the worsening security conditions, he said the life of the ordinary citizen in KP had become increasingly insecure. He added that if opposition parties reached out, JUI-F would be willing to engage in dialogue and could even support convening an all-party conference to chart a way forward.
On the contentious issue of the merger of Fata with KP, Fazl criticized the process, noting that the committee set up to oversee reforms in the ex-Fata region lacked true representation from KP. “Only we were asked to nominate representatives for this committee, but we withheld our names,” he said, adding that the party would deliberate on this matter during a planned grand tribal jirga. Questioning the motives behind the latest committee, he asked whether it was an admission that the merger had failed or simply another scheme to exploit the region’s mineral resources.
Fazl also distanced himself from endorsing the federal government, stating, “If I was satisfied with their decisions, I would have joined them. Both the federal and provincial governments are products of electoral rigging.”
Separately, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza, speaking on Geo News, voiced strong personal and party reservations about KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Citing Gandapur’s abrasive behavior and language, Murtaza said, “He is not a person we find agreeable.” However, he clarified that JUI-F does not seek to topple the provincial government. Instead, if the PTI itself decided to replace Gandapur, the JUI-F would welcome the move.
Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi clarified that the committee on ex-Fata was not aimed at reversing the merger. He said it was formed after a jirga during the visit of the prime minister and army chief to explore reviving the jirga system in merged districts.
