Fazal ur Rehman Criticizes 'Dirty' Draft That Could Have Passed Without JUI-F's Support

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has alleged that the government “purchased” 11 votes to secure the passage of the recent 26th Constitutional Amendment affecting Pakistan’s judiciary, stating that without his party’s support, “a very dirty” draft would have been approved.

Speaking in Dera Ismail Khan, Fazl emphasized, “We only had eight votes. Without our support, an unacceptable draft would have been passed.” He added that the government obtained 11 votes to push the amendment through, alleging these were “purchased” votes.
Fazl clarified that JUI-F’s backing allowed the amendment to pass, even while his party remains in opposition. He noted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) didn’t participate in the vote but was kept informed throughout negotiations.

Discussing the ideological issues facing Pakistan, Fazl highlighted JUI-F’s goal to fully eliminate the interest-based economic system by 2028, which he stated aligns with both the party’s manifesto and Pakistan’s foundational ideology. He assured that ending interest-based transactions would benefit the economy and foster national prosperity.

During the media talk, he also condemned the imprisonment of political figures, including PTI’s founder, expressing support for their release.

The Shehbaz Sharif-led government, with allies like the PPP, recently passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment, altering the process for appointing Pakistan's Chief Justice (CJP) by setting a fixed tenure and establishing new constitutional procedures. Under the amended law, a Special Parliamentary Committee recommended Justice Yahya Afridi as the next CJP, an appointment confirmed by President Asif Ali Zardari, per Articles 175A, 177, and 179 of the Constitution.