Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly criticised the practice of granting extensions to military officials, calling it a “flawed” policy that should apply equally to parliament.
Addressing the National Assembly, he recalled how past military extensions were pushed through under pressure and questioned why such a privilege is not extended to lawmakers.
Fazl condemned the current judicial system as “outdated,” urging the government to collaborate with the opposition on judicial reforms.
He stressed that courts have become political entities, with some supporting one faction and others backing another.
He also called for reforms that would make the judiciary impartial and restore public trust in the system.
Highlighting ongoing police protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fazl warned that if law enforcement agencies stopped fulfilling their duties, it would severely impact the country’s security.
He further criticised the extension process, particularly within the military and judiciary, stating that if this practice continues, parliament should be given the same rights.
He also addressed the issue of judicial case backlogs, pointing out that over 60,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court, and proposed the creation of separate courts to handle constitutional matters.
Fazl concluded by stressing the need to modernise Pakistan’s judicial system, which he argued still operates under British-era laws, and urged that parliament be made supreme.
