Latest news with #JamiatUlema-e-Islam-Fazl
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Fazl rejects Trump Nobel nomination
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has lashed out at the United States and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's nomination of US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, asserting that peace and Trump cannot coexist. Speaking at a conference in Battagram on Sunday, the JUI-F emir sounded alarms over Washington's renewed efforts to rally Muslim countries behind it. "America is once again saying we should walk together this same America that has abandoned us many times before," he said. "Now it wants to unite on the basis of Prophet Ibrahim's lineage, but how can we forget the atrocities in Palestine, and the blood that was shed in Libya, Egypt, Syria and Jordan? How can we forget the injustices faced by Muslims?" The JUI-F emir said that the party stood with Iran against Israel and was ready to defend the Haramain. "We are determined to unite the Muslim Ummah." "When our country needs it, we will declare jihad and offer our lives for the defence of this nation," he added. The conference in Battagram drew a significant crowd, with senior JUI-F leaders and provincial office bearers present, including Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Nasser Mahmood, Maulana Amjad Khan, Mufti Nisar Ahmed, Maulana Khurshid Ahmed, Maulana Ghulamullah, Bakht Nawaz Khan and Shah Hussain Khan. During their speeches, the JUI-F leaders also blasted the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, accusing it of unprecedented corruption and financial mismanagement. "The current provincial government has broken all records of corruption," Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said. "In just one year, Rs1.1 billion was spent on food and hospitality alone. Just imagine how much was siphoned off for personal and unofficial use." The leaders also expressed frustration over the worsening situation in Battagram. "People here are suffering badly. Elected representatives are busy filling their pockets while citizens are trapped in hunger, inflation, unemployment and lawlessness," one speaker said. Calling on voters to back the JUI-F at the ballot box, they said that if the public entrusted the party with power through the strength of their vote, they would change the face of this country. "We will use national resources for the welfare of the people and place Pakistan among the ranks of great nations." Tight security arrangements were made for the conference, with a heavy police presence and hundreds of JUI-F volunteers on duty.
Business Recorder
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM announces new era with Pak-US ties
ISLAMABAD: America's 249th birthday bash in Islamabad went full throttle on Wednesday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a bold 'new era' in US-Pakistan relations – reminding everyone that Washington was one of Pakistan's earliest backers way back in 1947. At a glittering Independence Day celebration hosted by the US Embassy – a full month before July 4 – PM Sharif declared that Pakistan and America were stepping into a 'new era' of relations, while tossing sharp jabs at India and tipping his hat to Donald Trump. 'This is a new chapter,' Sharif told a high-profile crowd packed with political bigwigs, top brass, civil society members, and diplomats. 'We're committed to strengthening Pakistan-US relations. Both countries believe in democratic traditions and the supremacy of the constitution.' Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja were amongst the politicians that joined the ceremony. PM Sharif said that the US was one of the first nations to recognise Pakistan after its 1947 independence. He thanked Washington for decades of development support – but made sure no one forgot the cost Pakistan has paid fighting terror. 'We've lost over 90,000 lives. Our economy's taken a $150 billion hit,' he said. 'Pakistan's sacrifices in counterterrorism are second to none.' On this occasion, PM Sharif slammed India over the recent four-day war between the two nuclear armed rivals, branding the Pahalgam incident as a false-flag operation and accusing New Delhi of using the tragedy to target civilians. 'We called for an international investigation – India responded by bombing us,' he said, adding that Pakistan had responded in kind by shooting down six Indian aircraft. Still, the prime minister stressed his desire for regional peace. He credited international efforts, including those by US President Trump, for helping to de-escalate hostilities and secure a ceasefire. 'We appreciate President Trump's efforts in promoting peace and economic cooperation.' Meanwhile, acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker opened with a warm 'As-Salaam-Alaikum' – in Urdu, no less – as she spoke of shared values, mutual respect, and a future rich with potential. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
03-06-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Fazlur Rehman's stance on child marriage bill sparks online criticism
Listen to article Maulana Fazlur Rehman's announcement to protest against the child marriage bill has sparked widespread discussion online. President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years. The new legislation criminalises the solemnisation of marriages where either the boy or girl is underage. In response, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday announced a nationwide protest against the government's proposed legislation aimed at restricting child marriages, arguing that the bill contradicts Islamic teachings and threatens Pakistan's religious identity. Many users criticised the move, questioning why such a stance was being taken on an issue concerning child protection. Numerous users criticised religious leaders for opposing a law aimed at protecting minors. One user remarked that these groups have never protested against child abuse but are enraged by the child marriage bill. READ MORE: NA passes bill criminalising child marriage Photo: ScreenGrab Photo: ScreenGrab Others emphasised the importance of confronting religious conservatives who are using religion to justify child marriages, warning that failure to resist would only embolden such views further. Several voices on social media called for organised counter-protests by the rational and progressive segments of society to stand up against the protesters opposing the bill. Photo: ScreenGrab Users argued that defending children's rights should be a non-negotiable priority and expressed strong support for the new law, highlighting that early marriage often leads to severe health, psychological, and social consequences for children, especially girls. READ MORE: Child marriages plague impoverished girls Under the new law that banned the underage marriage of boys and girls alike, violators face up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000, while a man over 18 marrying an underage girl may face rigorous imprisonment of up to three years. Courts are also empowered to intervene and protect the identities of those reporting such cases. Despite the bill's clear intent to safeguard children from exploitation, it has faced fierce opposition from religious political parties and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) . The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly criticised the CII for raising objections to the recently passed Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, calling the move a serious attempt to hinder vital child protection legislation. READ MORE: CII takes exception to child marriage bill Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Fazl claimed the proposed law is being influenced by foreign agendas. 'Pakistan's identity is Islam, and that identity is under threat,' he said, warning that the bill undermines the country's core values. Fazl accused the government of drafting the legislation based on demands from international bodies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations (UN), rather than adhering to Islamic principles. 'The UN's stance is being used to pass laws against early-age marriages. The President is also refusing to sign the religious seminaries bill,' he added. The JUI-F leader criticised the proposed law as violating the Quran and Sunnah, asserting that such moves weaken democratic processes and inadvertently strengthen extremist narratives. 'Democracy is losing its case, and such actions are empowering the narratives of armed groups,' Fazl warned.
Express Tribune
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JUI-F announces drive against 'un-Islamic' child marriage law
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday came out strongly against the recently enacted Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025, announcing a nationwide protest campaign to "raise awareness" among the public. Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, the JUI-F supremo categorically rejected the legislation, claiming it undermined Islamic values and societal norms by criminalising underage marriage while enabling extramarital relationships. "Pakistan is a strange country during the time of General Musharraf, a constitutional amendment was passed in the name of women's rights that decriminalised sexual intercourse outside of marriage," he said. "It took it out of the realm of sin." "Now, they are trying to ban the marriage of people under 18. The CII has already rejected this and all ulemas and their parties have agreed that it contradicts the Quran and sunnah," he added, accusing the government of trampling constitutional guarantees. Fazl announced that his party would launch a series of protest activities in response to the law, including rallies and a major public conference scheduled for June 29 in Hazara Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "We will stage rallies, but they won't focus on one subject, like Al-Aqsa Mosque," he said. "Now, we will host rallies to create awareness about national sovereignty and Islamic governance." "God willing, we will present our stance to the world freely. Islam is a faith that moves with the world and can be beneficial." The law, which was signed by the president on May 27 following its passage through both houses of Parliament, aims to prohibit child marriage in Islamabad by outlawing marriages involving individuals under the age of 18.
Express Tribune
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Fazlur Rehman announces nationwide protests against child marriage bill
Listen to article Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced nationwide protest against proposed legislation restricting underage marriages, calling the bill contrary to Islamic teachings and an attack on Pakistan's religious identity. Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar on Saturday, Fazl claimed the law is being shaped under foreign influence. 'Pakistan's identity is Islam, and that identity is under threat,' he said. He accused the government of drafting legislation based on recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and United Nations resolutions, rather than Islamic principles. 'The UN's stance is being used to pass laws against early-age marriages. The President is also refusing to sign the religious seminaries bill,' he added. Fazl criticised what he described as legislation in violation of the Quran and Sunnah. 'Democracy is losing its case, and such actions are empowering the narratives of armed groups,' he warned. The JUI-F leader alleged that past legal reforms, including those under former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, had targeted religious values. 'The bottom line is that hurdles are being placed in the way of legitimate marriage while ease is being created for fornication,' he said, adding that the Council of Islamic Ideology had already rejected the proposed child marriage law. Also Read: Bilawal-led delegation in US to brief Pakistan's stance on Indian aggression Declaring a nationwide protest against the bill, Fazl said, 'We will present our viewpoint to the world.' Commenting on geopolitical matters, he claimed the world had entered a new Cold War era. 'Asia, under China's leadership, is emerging as a new economic power. After 9/11, we spoke of a global revolution. Now we are in a new phase,' he said. Fazl also took aim at India, stating that 'Modi's foolishness has pushed the region towards war' and that initial hopes for peaceful conflict resolution between Pakistan and India had diminished. In a lighter moment, he took a swipe at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), saying, 'I'm reminded of a joke—PPP is protesting against PTI because they've broken even the corruption records of the People's Party.' On regional cooperation, he noted the importance of ties with Afghanistan and suggested that extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan and other countries would be a positive development. What is Child Marriage Bill? President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 into law, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years in the federal capital. The new legislation criminalises the solemnisation of marriages where either the boy or girl is underage. Under the law, no Nikah khuwan (marriage officiant) may conduct a marriage involving minors, with violations punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000. Additionally, a man over 18 who marries an underage girl may face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment. The bill also empowers courts to intervene if informed of an underage marriage, including protecting the identity of those reporting such cases. The bill was initially introduced in the National Assembly by PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui and later presented in the Senate by Senator Sherry Rehman. However, the legislation faced opposition from the CII, which declared the bill contrary to Islamic principles. The CII, in its advisory response, objected to the bill by arguing that Islamic jurisprudence permits the marriage of girls once they attain puberty, regardless of age. The council maintains that setting a fixed minimum age of 18 for marriage contradicts certain religious interpretations and therefore should not be made legally binding.
