‘Maulana Fazlur Rehman Is Like a Father and Our Prayer Leader,’ Says Capt (Retd) Safdar

Abbottabad: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Capt (Retd) Muhammad Safdar has come out in support of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, urging those who criticized him to apologize.

Speaking at a press conference in Abbottabad, Capt (Retd) Safdar said that only Maulana Fazlur Rehman himself can explain the context and intent of his statement, adding that he would not engage in a technical debate over the matter.

He described Maulana Fazlur Rehman as a highly respected Islamic scholar who currently holds an important religious and political position in the country.

Expressing disappointment over the criticism directed at the JUI-F chief, Safdar said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman is like a father figure not only to his son, Maulana Asad Mahmood, but also to them. Referring to Islamic teachings, he stated that individuals who give birth, impart knowledge, or give their daughters in marriage hold a special and honorable status.

The PML-N leader emphasized that political differences should be set aside when it comes to respecting religious scholars.

“Maulana Fazlur Rehman is our prayer leader (Pesh Imam) and a respected religious scholar. Those who have criticized him should apologize for their behavior,” he said.

مولانا فضل الرحمان ہمارے پیش امام ہیں، والد کی حیثیت رکھتے ہیں، مجھے بہت دکھ ہوا، انکے اوپر جنہوں نے بات کی انکو معافی مانگنی چاہئیے۔ مسلم لیگ ن کے رہنماء کیپٹن (ر) صفدر کی پریس کانفرنس pic.twitter.com/NpmUuyNAmK

— Rizwan Ghilzai (Remembering Arshad Sharif) (@rizwanghilzai) July 20, 2026

Safdar further argued that matters related to religious scholarship and Islamic discourse should be addressed only by other qualified religious scholars. He criticized the language used in the ongoing controversy, calling it “completely irresponsible.”

Without naming anyone, he also referred to a female public figure who criticized Maulana Fazlur Rehman, alleging that she had previously used similarly harsh and inappropriate language against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan.

Capt (Retd) Safdar’s remarks have added to the political debate surrounding recent comments involving the JUI-F chief, while underscoring calls for greater respect and restraint in public discourse concerning religious figures.