“If Maulana Fazlur Rehman Had Been Given a Share, His Speech Would Have Been Different”: Khawaja Asif
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif launched a scathing verbal attack on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the National Assembly, alleging that the cleric’s criticism of the government was driven by political interests rather than principles.
Speaking during a session of the lower house of Parliament, Asif claimed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman might not have delivered his strongly worded speech a day earlier if he had been given the political share he wanted when the government decided to impose governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“If Maulana Fazlur Rehman had been given his share, yesterday’s speech would not have happened,” the defence minister said, arguing that the dispute was rooted in political interests.
Asif defended the government’s decision regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, maintaining that the measures had been taken in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
He alleged that Fazlur Rehman had used religion and the Constitution for political gains and financial benefits. The minister said that those who lectured others on morality and integrity should also examine their own political record.
Referring to the former military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s era, Asif accused Fazlur Rehman of political manoeuvring to secure the position of opposition leader while his party also enjoyed a lengthy period in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The defence minister also questioned Fazlur Rehman’s performance as chairman of the parliamentary Kashmir Committee, a position he held for approximately a decade. He asked what concrete contributions had been made to the Kashmir cause beyond the privileges and protocol associated with the office.
Asif further made allegations concerning Fazlur Rehman’s political conduct during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government, warning that he could disclose further details if provoked.
He accused the JUI-F chief of overlooking his own political past while criticising his opponents. Asif added that he was conscious of his own record whenever he spoke in Parliament and was prepared to defend his positions in their political context.
The minister also responded to criticism over his past statements supporting the military or the hybrid political system, arguing that his speeches and positions should be understood in the circumstances prevailing at the time.
Asif maintained that political hypocrisy should not be tolerated and that he had the right to respond to critics by referring to their own political histories.
His remarks intensified the political confrontation between the government and Fazlur Rehman, particularly over the federal government’s decision concerning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The allegations made by the defence minister were not accompanied by a response from the JUI-F chief in the account provided.
