ISLAMABAD: JUI-F Punjab General Secretary Hafiz Naseer Ahmed Ahrar on Monday urged the party’s political opponents to refrain from what he described as a campaign of character assassination against JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

In a statement, Mr Ahrar said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s remarks should be viewed in the context of the challenges facing Pakistan, but his opponents were running a campaign to malign him.

Responding to remarks by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Mr Ahrar asked her to explain who had facilitated the PTI’s 13-year rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He also challenged her to explain what sacrifices her family had made for Pakistan.

Asks critics to counter Maulana’s remarks with arguments, not allegations

He said the JUI-F workers were heirs to the sacrifices of the country’s martyrs and respected the contributions of all those who had laid down their lives for the country.

“Is it Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s fault that he raises questions about inflation, lawlessness, terrorism and economic decline?” he asked.

He urged critics to counter the JUI-F chief’s position with arguments rather than allegations.

He claimed that the JUI-F’s growing popularity in Punjab had unsettled its political opponents.

He added that people in Punjab were increasingly expressing confidence in the Maulana and his political narrative.

Mr Ahrar said that the Maulana was advocating Pakistan’s development and prosperity, as well as the supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament.

He opposed the imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He also criticised the Punjab government over what he described as the sale of educational and healthcare institutions and measures that were placing additional burdens on the public.

The JUI-F leader said his party’s struggle to transform Pakistan into an Islamic welfare state would continue under Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s leadership.

He said that after gaining public support in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh, the party was also witnessing growing confidence among the people of Punjab.

“Insha Allah, JUI-F will emerge as a force for the people’s deliverance in Punjab and across Pakistan,” he said.

Mr Ahrar announced that the JUI-F chief would address a public gathering in Sargodha on Nov 26.

Expressing confidence that the event would draw a large crowd, he said the party’s political activities were causing unease within the provincial government.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026