• Calls for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Iran, Egypt, Indonesia and Malaysia to form a strong Islamic bloc
• Says terrorism has continued to grow despite repeated military operations over the past four decades

QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that his party has worked to unite the nation against sectarianism and ethnic divisions, while certain forces have sou­ght to divide the people of the country.

“Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkiye, Iran, Indonesia, and Malaysia, should establish a strong Islamic bloc that could lead broader Asian cooperation,” the JUI-F chief suggested.

Addressing a conference on the “Rights of Balochistan and Pro­tection of Madressahs” in Pishin, he said that despite repeated military operations against terrorism, the problem has continued to grow and requires collective efforts to combat a menace that has claimed hundreds of lives.

A large number of JUI-F workers, leaders, and supporters from across the province gathered at the newly constructed sports complex in Pishin. Provincial Emir Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey, Opposition Leader in the Balochistan Assembly Mir Younas Aziz Zehri, Maulana Salahuddin Ayubi, Senator Kamran Murtaza Advocate, and other JUI-F members of the assemblies were also present at the conference.

He criticised border closures, saying they had severely damaged the country’s economy. He argued that the establishment, bureaucracy, and an ineffective foreign policy had left Pakistan isolated. He also said that all attempts to recognise Israel would be foiled.

The JUI-F chief expressed concern over the Pakistan Peoples Party’s silence regarding the protection of the Constitution and the 18th Amendment.

He also criticised the government for failing to effectively run public schools while imposing restrictions on seminaries. He reiterated that his party does not accept what it considers “rigged assemblies” and called for major Islamic countries to form a strong and united bloc. He further stated that the outdated practice of labelling patriotic citizens as traitors simply because they disagree with the establishment must come to an end.

He said that the large gathering in Pishin reflected the people’s growing confidence in the party. “No power in the world can break the bond between JUI-F and its supporters, and this relationship will continue to strengthen,” Fazl said.

Referring to the role of state institutions, he said that if they were truly innocent, they deserve praise, but where policies were flawed, criticism would continue. He stressed that the JUI-F would never accept pressure from the bureaucracy or the establishment when it conflicted with the interests of the people and the country.

Fazl noted that Pakistan has been fighting terrorism for four decades.

He argued that despite these efforts, terrorism had continued to worsen, causing significant damage to the country and creating public frustration.

Referring to actions taken against religious seminaries, he pledged to resist all such measures. He argued that militants had also been found in universities, colleges, schools, and hostels, yet similar actions had not been taken against those institutions.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2026