Fazl says 34-year political career free of corruption cases

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that he has never faced a corruption case throughout his 34-year political career, accusing accountability institutions of pursuing political vendettas instead of carrying out genuine accountability.

Addressing a national education conference in Islamabad, Fazlur Rehman questioned the sources of wealth accumulated by powerful political figures, alleging that those in government were rarely asked how they had acquired hundreds of thousands of acres of land and become major investors across the country within 10 to 20 years.

He said several people had faced corruption cases and convictions, but their records appeared to be cleared after switching political loyalties. He criticised what he described as a system in which legal proceedings and accountability measures were allegedly influenced by political affiliations.

The JUI-F chief further accused the government of creating resentment among the public through its policies and actions. He said the authorities were contributing to growing public distrust rather than addressing the issues facing the country.

Fazlur Rehman also objected to what he described as a deliberate campaign to portray political figures as corrupt. He alleged that notices were being circulated and used to damage people’s reputations without establishing wrongdoing.

He maintained that accountability institutions should perform their responsibilities impartially instead of using their powers for political victimisation.

Speaking about provincial autonomy and resource distribution, the JUI-F chief said decisions concerning the rights and resources of provinces would not be accepted without taking the nation into confidence.

He stressed that provincial rights and control over resources were important matters that required consultation and public trust, adding that decisions made without involving the people would remain unacceptable.