Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has announced province-wide demonstrations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on November 15 to protest against the ongoing anti-encroachment campaign and what the party describes as a propaganda campaign targeting its leadership.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa executive council. Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, provincial chief Senator Maulana Attaur Rahman said district-level party organisations had been directed to organise demonstrations on Sunday.
JUI-F Criticises Anti-Encroachment Operations
Maulana Attaur Rahman criticised the provincial government’s campaign against encroachments, arguing that authorities were targeting businesses and properties belonging to ordinary citizens instead of focusing on their responsibility to address terrorism.
He questioned the need for an emergency in the province if removing encroachments was the government’s primary objective.
The JUI-F provincial chief also expressed concern over demolitions in Peshawar, claiming that legally constructed shops, plazas, houses and mosques had been affected. He said the party’s executive council had expressed solidarity with traders and shopkeepers impacted by the operations.
Rahman maintained that constructions on government-owned land could be classified as encroachments but questioned the demolition of properties whose owners had obtained building approvals and no-objection certificates from relevant government institutions.
He demanded that authorities explain the legal basis for such demolitions, particularly where property owners had reportedly not received prior notices. He also called for assurances that compensation would be provided to people whose properties were acquired under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act.
Party Defends Fazlur Rehman’s Position on Mineral Resources
The meeting also endorsed the position of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman regarding the province’s mineral resources.
Rahman raised concerns about the transportation of mineral resources through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route following the closure of certain roads. He called for transparency over agreements made with other countries concerning the province’s natural resources.
The party also decided to launch an awareness campaign to inform the public about the issue.
JUI-F has repeatedly criticised the federal and provincial authorities over their policies concerning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the imposition of emergency measures and the handling of the province’s natural resources.
Kundi Says K-P Residents Will Have First Right to Province’s Natural Resources
JUI-F Condemns Alleged Campaign Against Its Leadership
The provincial executive council also condemned what it described as one-sided propaganda, fabricated statements and inappropriate videos targeting Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other party leaders.
Senator Attaur Rahman accused the federal government of using personal attacks instead of responding to the questions raised by the JUI-F chief. He said such tactics would not force the party to abandon its political position.
The meeting also expressed concern over statements by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor and the provincial information adviser regarding the party’s Mufti Mahmood Markaz in Peshawar.
Rahman said the complex, spread over four kanals, had been constructed after approval of its building plans by the Peshawar Development Authority. He added that the administration had closed the service road in front of the building for security reasons.
Party Raises Concerns Over Merged Tribal Districts
The JUI-F meeting also discussed developments concerning the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which were merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
Rahman alleged that the government was attempting to reverse the merger. He said any decision concerning the status of the former tribal areas should reflect the wishes of their residents rather than being imposed by the authorities.
The party also expressed concern over the arrests of its workers in different parts of the country and notices issued by various institutions.
With demonstrations planned in every district on November 15, the announcement signals an escalation in JUI-F’s political campaign against government policies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Source: Dawn, The Express Tribune
