Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman accused former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and former director general Inter-Services Intelligence Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed of orchestrating the no-trust vote against former prime minister Imran Khan.
In an interview with a private TV channel, Fazl claimed that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) spearheaded the no-confidence move against Imran Khan, with Bajwa and Faiz providing directives. “I was not in favour of it, but I supported it because then the PDM (Pakistan Democratic Movement) would have said that I saved Imran Khan,” he stated.
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.
Fazl alleged that General (retd) Faiz also supported the no-confidence motion, claiming, “Gen Bajwa and Gen Faiz gave instructions about the no-confidence motion and PML-N and PPP sealed it. Gen Faiz said that we can do everything within the limits of the system and he had no objection to it.”
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.
“However, 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.
Fazl said that both the 2018 and 2024 elections were rigged. “We have decided to protest against this vote theft. Now the decisions would be taken on the ground rather than in the assembly,” he said.
Regarding discussions with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on government formation, the JUI-F chief disclosed his refusal to participate. “I believe whatever happened during the 2024 elections, it benefitted PML-N. There are rumours that Nawaz Sharif was given the Lahore seat,” he added.
He warned that if PML-N and other political parties proceed to form the government, they would be held accountable for the consequences. “I don’t see a [bright] future for the parliament, therefore, I invited PML-N to sit with us,” he stressed.
Top Indian intelligence sources said that this statement of Fazl could not have come without the Pakistan army’s support.
“He is going to leave PDM and is asking PML-N to join. This clearly suggests the establishment is in two minds and wants Imran to support the government formation with PPP, not Nawaz. They are afraid of Nawaz because of his straight and outright approach,” said a source.
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