Jamiat Ulema Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has reiterated his stance on Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Thursday.

In his address at Dera Ismail Khan, he recalled previous operations to purge out terrorists in the tribal belt.

He said he would continue criticising ‘military meddling in politics.’

People are not ready to leave home again, he said, stressing that operations are no solutions.  

He said since the start of jihad in the Zia regime, the policies have been wrong.

Fazl added: “Ever since Pakistan was formed, you have been making decisions and making all the decisions wrong.”

He questioned who trained the youth in the name of jihad and why.

He recalled the US-led Afghan war, saying that Pakistan airbases were given to the foreign troops to bomb Afghanistan.

He continued:  “Who was your ally during the bombardment?

“Who was killing whom?

”You were an ally of the US, UK and Nato forces.

“You were killing Afghans ... Afghan mujahids.

“I said earlier that I respect the soldier – my country’s defence force.  But the moment he does politics, he will no longer be part of the army. Then I will criticise him.

 “You are not an angel or innocent.

“We should be told who is the watchman on the borders of Pakistan.

“If the military men are not watchmen.  If they have to do politics and manipulate elections, then they are breaking the oath.”