Internet roasts PTI’s ‘unexpected’ partnership with JUI-F

In an unexpected turn of events, the PTI announced an alliance with its staunch rival, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) over the narrative that the 2024 general elections were not “free and fair”. 

The PTI has invited JUI-F to join the countrywide protests over alleged rigging and manipulation of polling results.

A PTI delegation led by Asad Qaiser met JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday at his residence in Islamabad, seeking support for Omar Ayub as Prime Minister. 

JUI-F was a key player in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance that successfully passed the vote of no confidence in the National Assembly, leading to the ouster of Imran Khan's government. This event resulted in a series of political challenges for the PTI and its leadership.

Rehman alleged on Thursday that former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former Peshawar corps commander Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed played a role in guiding political parties to bring a no-trust vote against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government.

Longtime rivals, who once traded accusations of foreign agents and harsh insults, have surprised not only journalists but also political rivals with their newfound alliance, with some highlighting past criticisms of Maulana Fazlur Rehman made by PTI leaders by sharing old videos on social media. 

Taking to 'X', journalist Arifa Noor expressed disbelief at the recent twists in Pakistani politics, saying, "Was still coming to terms with Pervez Elahi being in jail for standing with IK and MNS voting for an eagle in Lahore. And now am trying to wrap head around PTI meeting Maulana… if you live long enough…"

Was still coming to terms with Pervez Elahi being in jail for standing with IK and MNS voting for an eagle in Lahore. And now am trying to wrap head around PTI meeting Maulana… if you live long enough…

— Arifa Noor (@arifanoor72) February 15, 2024

Journalist Talat Hussain shared an old video of Imran Khan mocking JUIF chief, stating, "General Bajwa asked me not to label Fazlur Rehman as 'Diesel,' but I can't help if people have themselves coined this moniker.”

From Jail Imran’s Diesel Deal. pic.twitter.com/kJ33dPFfzk

— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) February 15, 2024

Huqooq-e-Khalq Party leader and historian Ammar Ali Jaan criticised the alliance as a compromise of ideology and principles, saying, "If an alliance with Maulana Diesel is OK, then an alliance with any other elected force should be OK. This is a compromise on both Real Politik as well as on ideological commitments. Either be committed to power or to principles. Poor decision that let's down committed voters.”

If an alliance with Maulana Diesel is OK, then an alliance with any other elected force should be OK. This is a compromise on both Real Politik as well as on ideological commitments. Either be committed to power or to principles. Poor decision that let's down committed voters.

— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) February 15, 2024

Anchorperson Kamran Shahid questioned the stance of JUIF, which previously accused the PTI of rigging elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, yet is now considering an alliance with the same party at the centre.

The evolving bro-mance between the PTI-JUIF created a buzz on social media, with netizens sharing memes and digging up past criticisms between the leadership of both parties.

New friendships pic.twitter.com/PooakXaJ5i

— Fasi Zaka (@fasi_zaka) February 15, 2024