Fata operation pressing JUI-F to leave coalition

ISLAMABAD - The currently ongoing operation by the security forces in tribal areas has put tremendous pressure on the central command of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) to disembark the ruling coalition's boat, as the religious party's workers and office-bearers are not ready to tolerate the use of force by the government to put the persistent turmoil in the region to an end, TheNation learnt here on Friday.     "The friction, emerged between PPP and JUI-F over the issue of repealing death sentence by the government, has developed into a gulf after the launch of the armed operation in the embattled northwest of Pakistan", told a party insider. The sources close to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the religious party's top leaders had expressed their deep concerns over the fact that PPP was not taking the coalition partner into confidence while making crucial decisions. "The strong criticism of party workers and leaders compelled Maulana to take strict position over the repeal of death sentence, which he displayed during his speech on the floor of the House in budget session", the sources added. The sources also claimed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had categorically told PPP's central command to review the decision of repealing the death penalty. "The second controversy, bigger than the former, is the military operation in FATA, which according Maulana and his party, indicates that Parliament is not supreme as decision are being made by a few persons", the sources told. The sources further added that JUI-F was very angry over the armed operation in the tribal belt and had communicated its annoyance to the government for not taking the coalition partner into confidence while making such crucial decisions. "Maulana Fazlur Rehman has told the government that if it does not shun the policies of the previous government and goes on following policies, dictated by the US over war on terror, the party could say good-bye to the ruling coalition", the sources maintained. The party insiders further revealed that JUI-F chief was also angry, as his brother Maulana Attaur Rehman was not given the portfolio of the Religious Affairs Ministry against the promises, the PPP had made with the JUI-F. "Most probably, the central leaders of JUI-F will meet in the month of July to decide whether it will remain a part of the ruling alliance or not ", the sources added.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt