Pakistan's flawed foreign policy makes U.S. dictate terms to the nation: JUI chief

Lahore, May 13 (ANI): Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman has said the absence of a well-formulated foreign policy over the past decade has paved the way for the U.S. to dictate terms and threaten Pakistan.

"We have had no clear foreign policy in Pakistan for the past ten years. That is why the U.S. is dictating and threatening us," The Dawn quoted Rehman, as saying.

He said the country was in dire need of a clear and strong foreign policy to deal with the prevailing challenges.

Rehman said the U.S. had started mounting pressure on Pakistan at a time when the government was preparing the budget for next year.

"Only peace is the base of human rights. But the efforts in this regard are being foiled in the name of religion," he said, adding that Pakistan had been turned into an unsafe and war-torn country instead of a welfare state during the past 64 years.

He said a government not able to maintain peace had no right and authority to collect taxes from people. The JUI-F chief said Pakistan was always victimised and blackmailed by creating an atmosphere of fear and pressure.

He appealed to the entire political leadership to practice politics of hope and not of fear.

"We cannot afford a war in the name of rule or power and we should strive to save Pakistan," he added. (ANI)