Fazlur Rehman has crossed the line, warns Mohsin Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday strongly criticised Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying the veteran politician had crossed the line with his remarks about the state and would face a strong response.

Speaking in the Senate, Naqvi said he had held Fazlur Rehman in high regard but that the JUI-F chief’s reported statement about spitting on the state had left no room for further respect.

“I used to respect Maulana Fazlur Rehman a lot, but after his statement about spitting on the state, there is no room left for respect for him,” Naqvi said.

He accused Fazlur Rehman of treating the state as a source of benefit, alleging that the state was considered a mother only when political interests were being served.

“The state is a mother to them as long as they continue to draw benefits from it. When they do not get a share in the state or government, they say they will spit on it. This is not appropriate,” the interior minister said.

Naqvi warned that the government would respond firmly to remarks he considered beyond acceptable political criticism.

The minister’s remarks came a day after Fazlur Rehman questioned Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s absence from Tehran, where regional security issues were being discussed, and raised questions about Naqvi’s visits to Iran.

“Defence agreements are being made in Iran while the defence minister sits here. Is that also the responsibility of the Interior Ministry?” Fazlur Rehman had asked.

Responding to the criticism, Naqvi said his visits to Iran were undertaken on the special instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to help manage the ongoing regional crisis, not out of personal preference.

He also rejected the suggestion that a defence agreement was being discussed in Tehran, saying the purpose of the meetings was to ease regional tensions.

Khawaja Asif calls Fazlur Rehman’s NA speech ‘blackmailing’

Naqvi further accused Fazlur Rehman of making inappropriate remarks about state institutions and alleged that some political figures used religion for political and financial gain.

During his Senate speech, the interior minister also claimed that JI-F had previously approached the federal government seeking the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to end their difficulties with the PTI-led provincial govt.