The Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) on Monday strongly condemned what it called the disgraceful, derogatory, and baseless charges being levelled against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman. "Allegations against the Maulana are deeply regrettable, shameful, and highly condemnable.
The TTAP strongly condemns the ongoing organised campaign of character assassination against him and his family; it is a manifestation of political intolerance, moral degradation, and disregard for democratic values," it said. The JUI-F is part of the United Opposition, which has its role largely confined to inside the parliament.
The TTAP's strong and detailed statement in Fazl's support, at a time when he and some of his family members and party leaders are facing a barrage of allegations, is seen as a welcome gesture that could potentially pave the way for his party coming closer to the alliance.
Political differences, the alliance noted, are the beauty of any democratic society; however, targeting someone's honour, dignity, character, and family under the pretext of political disagreement is not only contrary to religious, moral, and social traditions but also pushes politics further into the depths of hatred, discord, and division.
"Differences of opinion must be addressed through arguments, logic, and political dialogue rather than character assassination, slander, and personal attacks. Such a disgraceful and organised campaign must be stopped immediately, and those involved must abandon this reprehensible practice," the party stressed.
The alliance paid tribute to Fazl for his unequivocal and principled stance against the imposition of governor's rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The statement said the important constitutional and democratic questions raised by Fazlur Rehman and his party on this matter should be addressed by the government through reason, constitutional arguments, and the rule of law instead of resorting to character assassination and pressure tactics.
"No political leader can be compelled to abandon a principled position through pressure, threats, or organised character assassination. The TTAP made it clear that measures such as governor's rule and the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are contrary to the spirit of provincial autonomy, the people's mandate, and parliamentary democracy, raising serious constitutional and democratic questions," it underlined.
The alliance vowed to vigorously oppose these measures at every constitutional, political, parliamentary, and legal forum and continue to highlight their constitutional and democratic implications before the public. It also expressed deep concern and regret over the suspension of hearings by the Peshawar High Court in cases filed under Article 199 of the Constitution following the decision of the Federal Constitutional Court.
Consequently, it said the hearings of petitions concerning the imposition of governor's rule and emergency, as well as petitions seeking the release and legal remedies for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers arrested under 3-MPO, have also come to a halt. The statement concluded by noting that closing the doors of justice to citizens and political workers who had approached the Peshawar High Court was extremely alarming and a blow to the fundamental rights of the people.