Maulana Should Have Raised Concerns About Military’s Political Role When Governments Were Being Formed, Says Malik Ahmad Khan
Lahore: Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, has criticized Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his recent remarks regarding the military, stating that if he believed the armed forces should have no role in politics, he should have voiced those concerns when governments were being formed.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Malik Ahmad Khan acknowledged Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s political stature but said he was deeply disturbed by his recent statements, which he claimed have had far-reaching implications.
He questioned the wisdom of negotiating with terrorists, saying that those who do not recognize Pakistan’s Constitution or any legal framework cannot be engaged politically. “Terrorists even target mosques. What can be discussed with such elements? Should we accept their strength and allow them to carry out acts of terrorism every day?” he asked.
The Punjab Assembly Speaker praised the Pakistan Armed Forces for their role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also criticized Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his remarks about President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alleging that the JUI-F leader had made politically and factually incorrect statements.
“Maulana Fazlur Rehman has done what Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf previously did by targeting state institutions,” he remarked.
Referring to past political developments, Malik Ahmad Khan said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had once supported the idea of a uniformed president during the tenure of former President Pervez Musharraf and had accepted the military’s political role when his party enjoyed power in a provincial government.
“If the military should stay out of politics, then Maulana should have taken that position when alliances such as the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal formed governments. Had he done so at the time, his stance would have carried greater credibility today,” he said.
The Speaker further alleged that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had disrespected the country’s martyrs and demanded that he apologize. “Whether it is PTI or a senior religious scholar, we will not remain silent over the disrespect of our martyrs. No one sacrifices their life merely for a salary,” he said.
Malik Ahmad Khan described any attempt to undermine the sacrifices of military personnel as unacceptable and reiterated that political disagreements should not come at the expense of national institutions.
Commenting on regional developments, he noted that the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran has created challenges for countries around the world. He praised the diplomatic efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s military leadership, saying that their role is being recognized internationally.
He concluded by stating that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s recent remarks reflect political resentment rather than constructive criticism and expressed disappointment over the nature of his statements.
