Islamabad (The COW News Digital) Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly criticised Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his reported remarks against the state, saying the comments had ended the respect he previously held for the opposition leader.
Addressing the Senate, Naqvi said he had respected Fazlur Rehman personally but could no longer maintain that respect following the religious leader’s reported statement that he “spits on the state.” The interior minister also warned that those making such remarks should not expect state employment or financial support.
Naqvi’s comments triggered a heated exchange during the Senate session, with opposition members creating a disturbance as he continued his speech.
The interior minister also responded to criticism over his recent visit to Iran, rejecting allegations that he had travelled to negotiate a defence agreement. He said the visit was undertaken in connection with the ongoing regional crisis and not for defence-related negotiations.
Naqvi explained that the prime minister had assigned him a specific task, adding that he had no personal desire to travel abroad. He said the defence minister had not been informed about the visit because no defence-related discussions had taken place.
The minister’s explanation followed questions about why he had travelled to Iran without the defence minister’s involvement. Naqvi maintained that the visit had been linked to the prevailing crisis rather than any proposed military arrangement.
During his address, Naqvi accused Fazlur Rehman and his party of changing their position depending on whether they received a share in government. He argued that criticism of the state intensified when political groups were excluded from power, while their attitude changed when they benefited from government arrangements.
He further accused some politicians of using religion for political and financial purposes, remarks that prompted objections from opposition benches.
Senator Kamran Murtaza reportedly objected to the language used by the interior minister during the exchange. Naqvi, however, insisted that those criticising the government should also be prepared to hear responses to their statements.
The minister referred to what he described as a sustained campaign against him by JUI-F members in recent days. He reiterated that his earlier respect for Fazlur Rehman had diminished because of the religious leader’s reported remarks about the state and state institutions.
Naqvi also said that before the debate over imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, some political figures had called for intervention to resolve the situation. He accused them of adopting a contradictory stance towards the state.
The exchange reflects growing political tensions between the federal government and opposition figures, with disagreements extending to state institutions, political representation and the government’s handling of regional affairs.
However, the statements made during the Senate session represent the positions and allegations of the speakers. The supplied report did not include a response from Fazlur Rehman to Naqvi’s latest remarks.
