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| Imran Khan was ousted on Gen Bajwa's directives: Fazlur Rehman |
| 2024-02-16 |
| [GEO.TV] Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Thursday that the no-confidence motion that ousted former prime minister Imran Khan was tabled on the directives of ex-army chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa. In an interview on a private news channel, Fazl, who was the chief of the multi-party alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) responsible for removing Khan, said: “I was personally against the no-confidence move [...] but if I had said no despite insistence of other parties, then an impression would’ve been given that I ‘saved’ the PTI founder.” The PDM removed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in April 2022 and led by Shehbaz Sharif, the multi-party alliance ruled the country for 16 months before handing over the reins to the caretaker set-up. At first, Khan insisted that the US had him removed — a claim that the Joe Biden administration vehemently rejected. However, the ex-prime minister later shifted the blame to Gen Bajwa. In an interview in February last year, Khan, citing an apparent conversation of the retired general with a journalist, said General Bajwa had “accepted and clarified that he was behind our government's ouster”. After he became the first prime minister to be ousted via a no-trust motion, Khan continued a tirade against the establishment; however, politicians also said that the ex-army chief was involved in the PTI’s ouster. Fazl, during the interview, said: “While the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was running the movement for a no-confidence motion, Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid told me that I could do whatever I wanted, but within the system.” The JUI-F chief said Hamid told him that he could not “do anything outside the system” — meaning that every move should be made inside the parliament, not on the streets. “But I rejected his directions,” he said, but noted that later on, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and others left the PTI-led government. “When they said that [the anti-PTI] is now in majority, I had to agree with them otherwise it would’ve been said that I helped save Imran Khan,” the JUI-F chief, who has rejected February 8 election results, said. GOVERNMENT FORMATION The February 8 did not return a clear majority for anyone, but independent candidates backed by Khan won 92 out of 264 seats, making them the largest group, followed by PML-N (79) and the PPP (54). However, every party, even the PML-N which is seemingly about to form the next government, is unhappy with the election results. For his party, Fazl has decided to join the parliament, but not become part of the government. “The decisions will not be made in the parliament anymore, they will be made on the streets.” He noted that apparently, “rigging in elections” benefited the PML-N and there’s a rumour that Nawaz was not winning the Lahore seat. Fazl said that PML-N’s prime minister candidate Shehbaz had paid him a visit to speak about government formation, but he rejected the idea and instead called on the Nawaz-led party to join him in the opposition. “But Shehbaz left without responding to my offer [...] for me, the parliament has lost its credibility. If the establishment this that the elections were fair, then the May 9 narrative has been buried.” Related: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam: 2024-01-07 'TTP on agenda' as Fazl gears up for visit to Afghanistan Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam: 2024-01-06 Sunni Ulema Council's Maulana Masoodur Rehman Usmani gunned down in Islamabad Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam: 2023-11-22 PML-N, JUI-F hit back at Bilawal as electioneering picks up pace Related: Fazlur Rehman: 2024-02-14 Former PDM leadership wants to see PTI part of 'reconciliation' Fazlur Rehman: 2024-02-13 Disappointing electoral performance prompts resignations of JI's Haq, IPP's Tareen Fazlur Rehman: 2024-02-10 PM hopeful Nawaz Sharif seeks unity govt after 'election triumph' Related: Imran Khan: 2024-02-13 Why Nawaz Sharif failed to win Pakistan election despite tacit army support Imran Khan: 2024-02-13 NA-57 candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Adnan gunned down in Rawalpindi Imran Khan: 2024-02-13 PML-N not luring independent candidates to join party, says Khawaja Asif Related: Qamar Javed Bajwa: 2023-05-21 In audio leak, Imran Khan pleads with US lawmaker to intervene amid crackdown on PTI Qamar Javed Bajwa: 2023-04-29 Ex-COAS Bajwa's statement on combat worthiness against India misquoted: ISPR Qamar Javed Bajwa: 2023-04-26 ‘Taliban consulted Gen Bajwa before reaching out to India’ Related: Pakistan Democratic Movement: 2024-02-13 Why Nawaz Sharif failed to win Pakistan election despite tacit army support Pakistan Democratic Movement: 2023-05-15 Daily Evacuation Brief May 15, 2023 Pakistan Democratic Movement: 2007-09-06 Nawaz says he's in contact with Saudis Related: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: 2024-02-13 Disappointing electoral performance prompts resignations of JI's Haq, IPP's Tareen Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: 2024-02-12 PTI looks towards COAS Gen Munir for leaders' release, mandate acceptance Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: 2024-02-11 Vote counting in Pakistan hit by unexpected delays after millions cast their ballot in controversial general election Related: Shehbaz Sharif: 2024-02-14 Former PDM leadership wants to see PTI part of 'reconciliation' Shehbaz Sharif: 2024-02-13 Why Nawaz Sharif failed to win Pakistan election despite tacit army support Shehbaz Sharif: 2024-02-13 Minus-PPP govt won't last more than six months: Faisal Vawda Related: Pakistan Peoples Party: 2023-12-12 JI announces no-trust motion against PPP's Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab Pakistan Peoples Party: 2023-11-22 PML-N, JUI-F hit back at Bilawal as electioneering picks up pace Pakistan Peoples Party: 2023-08-28 Nawaz Sharif has no plan to return to Pakistan soon: Khursheed Shah Related: Faiz Hamid: 2023-12-14 Nawaz denies plotting against ex-army and spy chiefs, seeks action against 'conspirators' Faiz Hamid: 2023-03-09 Ex-ISI chief being investigated for corruption: Sanaullah Faiz Hamid: 2022-07-24 Military huddle discusses ‘peace talks’ with TTP Related: Balochistan Awami Party: 2019-03-09 Balochistan ATC refuses bail to BAP lawmaker accused of abducting tribal leader Balochistan Awami Party: 2018-07-23 Mastung bomber studied in Karachi seminary Balochistan Awami Party: 2018-07-21 Alleged facilitator of Mastung blast killed in FC operation in Kalat district |
| Posted by:Fred |