Maulana Fazlur Rehman calls for debate on new provinces

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called for debate regarding the creation of new provinces, warning against unilateral decisions. Speaking in Lahore, Fazl argued that current provincial disputes are essentially issues concerning the National Finance Commission (NFC) share, noting that the Constitution allows for an increase in these shares but not a reduction.

Fazl emphasized that under the 18th Amendment, provinces own their mineral resources, accusing the federation of attempting to take control of these assets. He criticized major political entities, stating the Pakistan Peoples Party focuses on the issue only regarding Sindh, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has remained silent.

Addressing the nation's stability, Fazl described the law and order situation as alarming and criticized the country's economic dependence on international institutions like the World Bank and IMF, characterizing such reliance as a modern form of colonialism. He also clarified that the JUI-F's current cooperation with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is limited to parliamentary matters and does not yet constitute a grassroots political alliance.