Those enjoy powers to appoint new COAS should be trusted: Maulana Fazl

SUKKUR, Nov 21 (SABAH): Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) Chief and head of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday called out former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan for blackmailing the political leadership for bringing the army chief of his choice.

Addressing a press conference in Sukkur on Monday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that all the parties in the country are working as a team at present. He said floods have broken the backbone of the economy, adding that his party held a rally in Shikarpur after a long time and there was no shortage of public.

Commenting on the possibility of PTI’s long march disrupting the chief of army staff’s appointment, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said through the long march, they want to bring an army chief of their choice. “You cannot blackmail political leadership,” he added.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman also criticised Imran Khan on the timing for holding his party’s long march. “A sit-in was announced when Mohammad bin Salman was coming to Pakistan. What are these matters?” Fazlur Rehman questioned.

Reminding journalists about the PDM’s long march in March 2021, Maulana Fazl said “neither an entry point was closed nor a pot was broken”. The JUI-F chief went on to say that the appointment of new army chief is a normal process, adding that this time it is not happening for the first time.  The appointment of the Army Chief should be entrusted to those who have the authority, he said.

Meanwhile, he slammed the PTI chief for creating havoc during his party’s long march. “Imran Khan was given permit by the court, yet there was violence,” he said.

Lambasting Imran Khan for resorting to dirty politics, the JUI-F chief said that as long as Imran Khan remains a part of politics, trash like video leaks will continue.