Returning officers insulted candidates with absurd queries: Fazl

LAHORE: Boasting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) as the only guarantor of peace in Pakistan, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, left no stakeholder un-picked-apart here on Sunday, Geo News reported.

Addressing an election rally in Gulshan-e-Ravi here Fazl called on the carpet almost all the political/religious parties, their leaders, election manifestos, Election Commission of Pakistan, returning officers, their irrational quizzing, and whatnot.

He condemned returning officers for forcing the candidates to answer absurd questions in the name of religion.

“Those ridiculous as well as shameful queries were tantamount to insult to the people of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. If it is mandatory for a lawmaker to have a fair understanding of the teachings of Islam then so does it is for the one calling the shots in the court”, said Maulana Fazl.

Giving the Election Commission of Pakistan a broadside, he said the regulator was unnecessarily adding to the code of conduct.

“It the ECP doesn’t allow electioneering in the name of Islam then, I’m afraid it is trying to enforce something which utterly runs counter to the basis as well as the constitution of Pakistan”, said Fazl.

After ending his fiery tirade against his rivals and ECP, a cocksure Fazl started blowing own trumpet. He claimed JUI-F was the sole party which could ensure peace in the country evident from the calm in the areas where it enjoyed a majority representation.