Maulana Fazlur Rehman supports opposition’s Feb 8 ‘Wheel Jam’ call

Opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday reiterated their rejection of the February 8, 2024 general elections, describing them as “rigged,” and renewed their demand for fresh polls, while strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Islamabad.

Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, Achakzai said political parties across the opposition were united in their stance that the public mandate was “forcibly stolen” on February 8.

He accused the government of suppressing public will, introducing “black laws” including the PECA Act, and weakening the judiciary.

Achakzai said the JUI had planned public rallies while the opposition intended to stage a wheel-jam protest on February 8, adding that terrorism in all its forms was unacceptable.

He welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to ban Basant festivities in view of the prevailing security situation, calling it a responsible step.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced his party’s support for the opposition’s wheel-jam protest and said JUI's all rallies and processions scheduled for February 8 had been cancelled and would now be held after that date.

He alleged that irregularities were continuing even in by-elections and said the opposition’s appeals remained pending in courts without progress.

“Our position is unchanged. We rejected the February 8 elections results then, and we reject them today,” Fazlur Rehman said, reiterating the demand for new elections.

He expressed deep sorrow over the Islamabad bombing, extended sympathy to the victims and injured, and termed the incident a failure of the government.

He warned that no citizen felt safe anywhere in the country and stressed that political solutions, not the use of force, were needed to stabilise the situation.

 “We want a strong state, but our people have been suffering for decades,” he said.

Achakzai said terrorism was often unfairly linked to Islam, stressing that Islam values human life and condemns violence. He said the opposition had no lust for power but wanted to see the country governed properly, adding that political differences did not amount to permanent enmity.

Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser also condemned the Islamabad mosque blast, called for a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy, and urged that the country’s security situation be discussed inside parliament.

He further demanded that the PTI founder be granted access to his personal physician and meetings be allowed in line with jail rules.

The opposition leaders said they would continue public outreach and political engagement to press for electoral reforms and fresh elections, while maintaining a united front against terrorism and political instability.

Reporter: Bilal Khan Niazi