LAKKI MARWAT, Aug 14: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday called upon the federal government to prioritise restoration of peace in the country, saying there will be no progress and prosperity without peace.

He was speaking here during a public meeting organised in connection with the election campaign of his brother and JUI-F candidate for NA-27, Maulana Attaur Rehman.

In the day, he addressed public meetings in Titterkhel, Landiwah and Naurang areas.

The JUI-F chief said he had asked the prime minister to place restoration of peace in the country on top of his agenda as it would help him lead the country to progress and prosperity.

“Without durable peace, we cannot achieve the goal of socioeconomic development,” he said.

Mr Fazl said his party’s electoral alliance with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was not meant to get power.

“In fact, this alliance is based on certain important points, including protection of Islamic laws and implementation of the Council of Islamic Ideology recommendations,” he said.

The JUI-F chief said his party would ensure start of massive development work in Lakki Marwat and other southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through the federal government, while the local residents would be provided with basic amenities on their doorstep.

He said PTI lacked the capacity to run the government in the province and that it (PTI) deceived the people in the name of change.

“The ruling PTI stands exposed for making false promises to the people before elections,” he said.

Mr Fazl said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government in the province didn’t leave behind any mess and instead, it led the province to a new era of development by socioeconomic reforms.

He said PTI was itself a big mess and wanted to implement the Zionist agenda in the province but the JUI-F would block its way.

The JUI-F chief alleged that the provincial government had handed over the education sector to NGOs to change curriculum and introduce so-called reforms. He said the curriculum prepared under auspices of NGOs and removal of Islamic contents from it would not be tolerated.

Mr Fazl said he would make every effort to ensure establishment of a university and a grid station in Lakki city and installation of power feeders in the district through the federal government.

He said road infrastructure would be improved, while new roads and bridges would be built in Lakki Marwat, Tank and DI Khan districts to reduce distance and promote business and employment opportunities.

Former MPAs Mufti Kifayatullah and Naseer Mohammad Khan Maidadkhel, Maulana Attaur Rehman, Mufti Abdul Shakoor and local JUI-F leaders also spoke during the public meetings.

Later, Mr Fazl met former city nazim and Lakki District Bar Association president Naimatullah Khan Khoidadkhel at his house in Lakki city and thanked him for joining JUI-F.

MPA Munawar Khan Marwat, Pir Mohammad Fawad Raza Zakori and other party leaders were also in attendance.