Fazlur Rehman Criticizes Government, Says Khawaja Asif’s Remarks Could Fuel Tensions

Islamabad: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly criticized the government and the political role of the military leadership during a speech in the National Assembly, warning that statements made by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif could increase political tensions.

Addressing the National Assembly, Fazlur Rehman said that remarks similar to those made by Khawaja Asif would only aggravate the situation and urged the government not to force the opposition into confrontation. He stated that his party would not remain silent on issues it considered important.

The JUI-F chief also criticized National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, saying the emotional tone of his speech a day earlier was not in keeping with the neutrality expected of the Speaker’s office.

Referring to past political rallies, Fazlur Rehman recalled occasions when former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif publicly criticized the military establishment. He argued that while the government may have earned recognition internationally, it had lost credibility among many people inside Pakistan.

Speaking on the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, he welcomed the decision of the Public Action Committee to postpone its planned march toward Muzaffarabad. However, he questioned the government’s policies, saying that Pakistan had long spoken about human rights in Indian-administered Kashmir and should also uphold those principles at home.

امیر جےیوآئی مولانا فضل الرحمان قومی اسمبلی میں خطاب جاری۔۔۔۔۔
پی ٹی وی پارلیمنٹ پر نشریات بند
نیشنل اسمبلی کی سرکاری لائیو بھی بند
جبکہ قومی اسمبلی میں سکرینوں اور اسپیکر پر بھی آواز بند
۔۔۔۔۔
اجلاس میں وزیراعظم بھی شریک https://t.co/ooemBpJwp1 pic.twitter.com/A3SZKDgb1i

— Fahim Akhtar Malik (@writetofahim) June 24, 2026

Fazlur Rehman further criticized the government’s approach, saying the statements made by Khawaja Asif were inappropriate for a defence minister. He also remarked that the government appeared to have assigned confrontation to Khawaja Asif while leaving reconciliation efforts to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

According to reports, while Fazlur Rehman’s speech was still underway, the live broadcast on PTV Parliament and the National Assembly’s official live stream was abruptly suspended. His audio was also reportedly muted on screens and speakers inside the assembly hall, prompting strong protests from opposition lawmakers.