View From The Neighbourhood: A face-off, a test

Dawn’s editorial on October 31 notes that “These next few days will, however, feel like eternity for the government. It is vital that decision-makers hold their nerve even if faced with grave provocations.”

Pakistani azadi march, Pakistan azadi rally, Imran Khan govt in Pakistan, Pakistan news, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), indian express

Thousands of members of a radical Islamist party camped out in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, Friday overnight and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan over “economic hardships”. (Photo: Reuters)

Maulana Fazlur Rehman is in Islamabad and how his protest unfolds will likely define the contours of Pakistan’s politics in the short term. Rehman is the head of the Jaimiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazlur), a Deobandi sect. He is firmly against the PTI-led government in Pakistan, and on Saturday, gave Imran Khan a two-day ultimatum to resign. Both the prime opposition parties in Pakistan — the PPP and PML-N are reportedly to share a dharna stage with Rehman, supporting his “azadi” march.