JUI-F Leader Fazl Urges Shift in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Leadership

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has called for a leadership change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), suggesting it should come from within the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Speaking at a July 12, 2025, press conference in Peshawar, Fazl criticized the province’s governance and security failures, urging a unified approach to restore stability. His remarks highlight deep concerns about KP’s deteriorating situation and the need for internal reform.

Fazl emphasized that KP cannot afford further political turmoil, pointing to the PTI’s “fake majority” as a product of electoral rigging, per Dawn.com. “If PTI claims the majority, the change must come from within,” he told reporters, insisting that any shift should not appear opposition-driven. He also slammed the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with KP, calling it a mistake that ignored tribal voices. “All parties must accept FATA’s merger was wrong,” he said, noting JUI-F’s opposition from the start. Fazl announced a grand tribal jirga for July 13 to consult on FATA’s political future, questioning the lack of Pakhtun representation in a federal committee on the issue.

The JUI-F leader’s critique extended to KP’s security crisis, with rising terrorism, including a scholar’s assassination in Bajaur, fueling public distrust. “People no longer feel safe,” Fazl told The Express Tribune, contrasting the current chaos with relative peace under JUI-F’s past governance. He accused the PTI of misusing provincial funds for luxuries like parliamentary secretaries, stating, “Our province’s money exists only for perks”. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, speaking to Geo News, didn’t rule out a no-confidence motion against the PTI government, hinting at potential political shifts.

Fazl’s call for change reflects frustration with a government he views as illegitimate and ineffective. While open to dialogue with PTI if they reform, he rejected aligning with the federal coalition, criticizing its failures. As KP grapples with violence and instability, Fazl’s push for internal PTI reform and tribal consultation demands urgent attention to restore governance and public confidence.