DID Press: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) party, warned the government that it should focus on protecting its own citizens rather than joining a U.S.-backed peace initiative for Gaza proposed by President Donald Trump.
Speaking in Pakistan’s parliament, Fazlur Rehman said the Gaza “peace council” formed under Trump’s initiative was unacceptable for Islamabad and that the government should clearly refuse to join it.
His remarks came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif agreed to Pakistan’s participation in Trump’s proposed peace council.
Fazlur Rehman warned of deteriorating security conditions in Pakistan, saying that several districts in areas where he resides have effectively fallen under the control of armed groups that openly collect taxes from local residents.
He told lawmakers that in districts such as Tank, Lakki Marwat and Bannu, there is virtually no visible presence of the state. He urged the government to prioritise safeguarding Pakistani lives instead of engaging in foreign peace initiatives.
Pakistan’s military has faced a series of attacks by armed anti-government groups in recent months. Reports indicate that in some areas, state forces have limited control, with armed groups exerting de facto authority.