Sharjeel Memon Urges Maulana Fazlur Rehman to Withdraw Remarks on Martyrs

KARACHI: Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has urged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to withdraw his controversial remarks regarding the country’s martyrs, saying that doing so would enhance rather than diminish his stature and respect.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Memon said that retracting the statement would be a commendable step and would increase the veteran politician’s standing among the public.

“The families of our martyrs have been hurt by the statement. I appeal to Maulana Fazlur Rehman to withdraw his remarks. Taking back one’s words does not reduce one’s dignity; instead, it elevates it,” he said.

Memon emphasized that the sacrifices of Pakistan’s martyrs are beyond politics and cannot be undermined by any individual’s comments. He added that such statements provide material for Indian media propaganda and should be avoided in the national interest.

He stated that Pakistan’s security forces are actively fighting terrorism and that the entire nation, including civilians, played its role during times of conflict. “Our mothers prayed for the country, while the youth defended Pakistan on social media during the Pakistan-India conflict,” he remarked.

The senior minister noted that parents send their children to serve in the armed forces out of patriotism and devotion, stressing that their sacrifices cannot be measured in monetary terms.

Highlighting his party’s political history, Memon said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had struggled against military rulers, including General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf, but had never spoken against the country’s institutions.

“Even when our leadership faced persecution and hardships, the PPP never targeted national institutions,” he said, adding that the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) was among the political alliances that supported General Musharraf’s presidency while he remained in uniform.

During the press conference, Memon also discussed several provincial issues. He claimed that the Sindh government’s policies had contributed to a bumper wheat crop this year and revealed that authorities had recovered 1.7 million tons of illegally hoarded wheat during a crackdown. He said wheat flour prices had declined by Rs13 per kilogram following the operation.

On water shortages, Memon said the Sindh government had repeatedly written to the federal government and the prime minister, demanding that Sindh receive its constitutionally allocated share of water.

He further criticized the federal government’s lack of infrastructure development in Sindh, particularly the absence of major motorway projects, despite Karachi’s vital contribution to the national economy.

Commenting on other political matters, Memon described the issue of Priya Kumari as highly sensitive and reiterated that Pakistan’s political leadership should avoid crossing constitutional and national boundaries in their public statements.

He concluded by appealing once again to Maulana Fazlur Rehman to reconsider his remarks, stating that such a move would reflect political maturity and strengthen national unity during challenging times.