Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman has declared a nationwide protest drive against the newly passed bill aimed at restricting underage marriages, branding the legislation as incompatible with Islamic doctrine.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, the veteran politician accused the government of eroding the country’s Islamic foundation by promoting laws that, according to him, defy the principles of the Quran and Sunnah. “We are facing a phase of ideological suppression,” he said, warning that such reforms would never receive his party’s endorsement.
The JUI-F chief argued that the new legal framework, which sets a minimum marriage age, contradicts Islamic jurisprudence that recognizes physical maturity (bulugh) over numerical age. He reiterated that the Council of Islamic Ideology had also raised objections, and his party would continue to reject the bill.
Fazlur Rehman further criticized the legislative environment in the country, alleging that legal amendments were being enacted under the influence of global financial institutions such as the IMF and FATF. “Democracy has failed to safeguard its own domain. The Constitution is being sidelined, and we will resist this with full force,” he announced, hinting at a major political movement in response.
The JUI-F has planned a mass rally in Hazara Division on June 29, where further steps will be unveiled regarding the party’s campaign against what it views as unconstitutional and un-Islamic governance.
On foreign relations, Rehman raised alarm over rising regional instability. He accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of endangering peace through aggressive policies and emphasized the necessity of strong ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan for regional balance. “India’s conduct threatens the region, and Pakistan must remain vigilant,” he warned.
The JUI-F leader also criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party, alleging that its protests serve as a smokescreen to divert attention from accusations of financial wrongdoing. “If there’s any truth to the Rs40 billion corruption claims, then due process—not slogans—is the way forward,” he said, calling for judicial accountability over political drama.
