Change can only be brought in Pakistan if shariah is enforced. All those who raise slogans of change without meaning to bring in Islamic laws are fooling the public,” said 50-year old Muhammad Ramazan who had come to attend Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F’s (JUI-F) Islam Zindabad Conference.

“This country was founded in the name of Islam and can only be saved by Islam. The only person who can bring change and impose shariah in Pakistan is Maulana Fazlur Rehman. That’s why I have come to attend the meeting today,” Ramazan said. Ramazan had travelled from Qalat, Balochistan, to attend the event.“I have come because I know Maulana Fazlur Rehman isn’t an American agent,” said Muhammad Saeed.

“Imran Khan speaks about bringing change but he cannot bring any substantial change. How can a man who cannot handle his wife, handle this country,” Saeed said.“Imran Khan speaks about rights which Islam has given to us but his own appearance doesn’t match with Islamic values. He is supported by the Jewish lobby and only Fazlur Rehman can unveil and stop the conspiracies being hatched to destabilise Pakistan,” said Akram Qureshi d.

The participants seemed to take their lead from some of the speakers who referred to Khan as Shaitan Khan in their speeches. Some also ridiculed him in their poems. “There is no concert here. Poems are being read to entertain people. This is completely Islamic,” said Muhammad Abdullah.

“Maulana Fazlur Rehman has a beard and looks like a Muslim. JUI-F is a party of the ulema. They are inclined to improve people’s lives. On judgment day we will be rewarded for supported ulema,” said Abdul Baqi, a retired Air Force employee from Swabi.

The security was largely handled by JUI-F workers clad in khaki shalwar kamees. “There are hundreds of JUI-F salaars performing security duties. All of us have come on our own, not on JUI-F’s expense,” said one of the salaars, Abdul Muqeet.