Fazlur Rehman Blames Pakistan Army for Domestic Violence, Not Afghanistan

DID Press: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), has sharply criticized the country’s military, saying the roots of violence and the rise of armed groups lie in Pakistan’s own policies—not in Afghanistan.

In a recent speech, Fazlur Rehman stated that the military’s operations from Swat to Waziristan were carried out with “extreme brutality,” causing mass displacement and civilian casualties.

Reflecting on the last two decades, he said:

“Armed resistance in Pakistan is the direct result of the military’s oppression,”
adding that the situation has “nothing to do with Afghanistan.”

According to him, harsh military pressure, injustice, and heavy-handed tactics pushed segments of the local population toward armed resistance.

The JUI-F leader stressed that Pakistan’s government and security institutions must reassess their internal policies—rather than blaming external actors—if they hope to reduce violence and restore stability.