KABUL (Pajhwok): Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has criticised the country’s defence minister for not attending security talks in Tehran, sarcastically remarking that “there is such a thing as shame and modesty”.
He also stressed that Pakistan belonged to all its people, not to any military officer or general.
Pakistan’s Express Tribune reported that Fazlur Rehman criticised government officials, particularly over defence matters, during a session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
“There is a defence agreement being made in Iran, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is also present here. Talks are under way in Tehran, but the prime minister and defence minister are here. There is such a thing as shame and modesty; you should pay attention to your dignity and honour,” he said.
According to the newspaper, Fazlur Rehman looked at Khawaja Asif with a smile while making the remarks, prompting laughter among lawmakers.
The comments came after Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir attended a four-party security meeting in Tehran on Monday, alongside officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Fazlur Rehman accused the government of misusing the Constitution and resorting to force. “If you choose the path of violence, Pharaoh also followed the same path,” he said.
The JUI-F chief also criticised the imposition of emergency rule and the transfer of administrative control of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the governor, describing these measures as an abuse of constitutional powers.
Referring to his efforts to resolve differences between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), he said he had held talks with government officials and the opposition to prevent confrontation and bloodshed, but the efforts had failed to produce the desired results.
Fazlur Rehman urged the government and opposition parties to hold talks and reach an agreement on a “new charter of democracy” to prevent violence and unconstitutional actions.
Addressing government officials, he said: “We are ready to die; we are ready to be killed by you, but we are not willing to die at the hands of history. This country belongs to all of us, not to any military officer or general.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry defended the government’s actions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the decisions had been taken in response to security challenges and to counter terrorism.
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