Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned Pakistan’s military leadership against concentrating excessive power, invoking the 1971 Fall of Dhaka as a reminder of the consequences of ignoring political rights and provincial autonomy.

Rehman questioned the growing concentration of authority around Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. He warned that excessive power could eventually become a burden for those who exercise it. His criticism also targeted the broader political and institutional system under the Shehbaz Sharif government.

Recalling December 1971, when Pakistani forces surrendered in Dhaka following the war that led to Bangladesh’s creation, Rehman referred to General Yahya Khan’s vow to continue fighting across streets, fields, factories and mountains shortly before the surrender.

His remarks highlighted the risks of relying on military strength while neglecting political legitimacy, provincial rights and public representation.

The warning comes amid a fresh confrontation over the federal government’s decision to impose emergency rule and suspend the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Imran Khan’s party governs the province, while the former prime minister remains in jail.

Rehman accused the military establishment and ruling coalition of treating Pakistan and its institutions as personal property.

“Pakistan is not your family’s property," he said, questioning the authority of those deciding the country’s future without giving its people a meaningful role.

The JUI-F chief also criticised what he described as the state’s unequal treatment of security personnel and political workers.

“I weep when soldiers are martyred, but you smile when my workers are killed," he said.

Rehman argued that political cooperation would remain difficult if the state disregarded citizens’ rights and used force against political opponents. He stressed that state institutions must respect political workers’ lives and rights if they expect support from political parties.

Rehman opposed the proposed imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He accused the federal government of abandoning efforts to reach a political settlement with the PTI.

The move to suspend the provincial government has intensified debate over provincial autonomy, federal authority and the role of state institutions in dealing with political opposition.

By recalling Pakistan’s breakup in 1971, Rehman warned powerful institutions against treating centralised authority as a substitute for political accommodation. His remarks come amid continuing tensions over civilian governance and the balance of power between elected representatives and the military.