Islamabad, Senator Waqar Mehdi, the General Secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh, has openly criticized Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) for their historical positions against Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the founding of Pakistan. Mehdi’s remarks come amid a broader discussion on the trust and credibility of political parties within the nation.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Mehdi highlighted the early opposition of JI and JUI to Quaid-i-Azam and the concept of Pakistan, claiming this as a reason for the current lack of trust in these parties by the Pakistani populace. He referenced the electoral defeat of Maulana Fazlur Rahman, alongside his brother and son, noting the absence of protests or disruptions in Dera Ismail Khan, contrasting this with the activities of JUI in other regions of the country. Mehdi accused JUI of attempting to divert attention from its leader’s actions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by staging protests in Sindh and alleged that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had compromised his principles in dealings with “Niazi and Company,” a veiled reference to political negotiations.

Mehdi further asserted that the protests orchestrated by the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Jamaat-e-Islami, JUI, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) represent a conspiracy against democracy. He also took a jibe at the Functional League, suggesting it has become so irrelevant that it is not even “visible on Google anymore.”

These statements reflect the ongoing tensions and rivalries within Pakistan’s political landscape, highlighting the historical and contemporary challenges of political trust and unity. Mehdi’s remarks underscore the PPP’s stance on the importance of democratic principles and the legacy of Pakistan’s founding leaders, while critiquing the actions and motivations of other political entities within the country.