MANSEHRA: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl leader and former MPA Mufti Kifayatullah on Thursday said that if the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was sincere about forming an opposition alliance, it should first offer an unconditional apology to his party’s chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, for the past disrespectful behaviour.

“We have been supporting the PTI, but if it is truly serious about forming a grand opposition alliance, it should first tender an unconditional apology for its 15 years of misconduct and disrespectful behaviour towards Maulana Fazlur Rehman,” Mr Kifayatullah told reporters during a function here.

The JUI-F leader said his party could be a major part of the proposed opposition alliance and even had the capacity to force the government out if its certain conditions were met.

“If PTI assures us that if the opposition alliance comes to power, it will restore Friday as a weekly off, eliminate usury, realign foreign policy and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution, then we may consider joining it,” he said.

Demands PTI’s apology for ‘disrespecting’ Fazl in past

Mr Kifayatullah said PTI leaders Asad Qaisar, Umar Ayub and others were in contact with Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the future course of action.

The JUI-F leader reiterated his party’s demand for fresh general elections to tackle inflation, political uncertainty and other issues.

“These governments, both at the federal and provincial levels, came into being through stolen public mandates, so they should step down to pave the way for fresh elections,” he said.

ROAD BLOCKED: Traders on Thursday blocked the main road in Oghi to protest “exorbitant” fines imposed by the assistant commissioner during an anti-profiteering crackdown.

They gathered at the main chowk in Oghi, shouting slogans against the tehsil administration. They burnt old tyres and blocked the road connecting Oghi with Mansehra and the rest of the Hazara division.

Traffic remained suspended for over two hours, inconveniencing motorists and commuters.

Trader leader Attaullah Tanoli said the administration had unjustly targeted the business community, especially small vendors.

“We’d already asked the assistant commissioner not to harass traders in Oghi and its suburbs, but he turned a deaf ear to our request, so we’re left with no option but to take to the streets,” he said.

Maulana Obaidur Rehman complained the government had already imposed heavy taxes and levies, pushing businesses to the brink of collapse.

“With rising inflation, how can we even afford to cover household and educational expenses for our children?” he questioned.

The protest was called off reopening the road after assistant commissioner Waqas Masood Chaudhry met with traders in the presence of Deputy Superintendent of Police Waheed Khan Swati. He promised early action on those issues but said shopkeepers had to follow rates set by the district price and review committee.

SNAKE BITE: A lady health worker was bitten by a snake during the children’s vaccination in the Parain Khairabad area on Thursday.

“Our team shifted the bite victim to a nearby health facility where doctors admitted her for treatment,” Rescue 1122 official Amir Khadamtold reporters. Physician Dr Mohammad Idrees said the condition of the health worker was stable.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2025