PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has ruled out possibility of military coup in the country.

“I don’t see any possibility of military takeover in the country, no doubt Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif is a popular commander,” he said in reply to a question put to him during a press conference here on Tuesday.

He lauded the Turkish people and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for foiling the coup in Turkey.

The JUI-F chief said that some elements tried to instigate the army for takeover by displaying portraits of Gen Raheel across the country. He said that those elements attempted to make Gen Raheel controversial.

“Those, who displayed portraits of Gen Raheel, should be tried under Article 6 of the Constitution,” he demanded, adding that those elements had harmed the army chief through displaying his portraits.

There was need of strict action against those elements, who had invited the army chief to take over, he said.

Mr Fazl said that abortive military coup in Turkey was an international conspiracy.

He said that few days before the failed coup France had closed down its embassy in Ankara and then consulate general in Istanbul.

“Western media was very jubilant and aired news that Turkish army had taken over and imposed martial law that justifies apprehension of involvement of foreign support to the coup planners,” he said.

The JUI-F chief congratulated Turkish people, the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for foiling the military coup. “Erdogan is custodian of Ottoman Empire and JUI-F wants stability in Turkey,” he said. He added that Turkish people had created new chapter of bravery in the history. He said that the people of Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with Turkish people.

Responding to a question, Mr Fazl said that people of Pakistan would continue support to people of Indian held Kashmir. He said that being head of Kashmir Committee he had always raised the issue of Kashmir at every forum.

Earlier, the JUI-F chief chaired a meeting of the central executive council of his party to discuss current political situation in the country and the region.

Federal Minister Akram Khan Durrani and Senate Deputy Chairman Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2016