Naqvi takes veiled swipe at political party chief over K-P governorship

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday criticised a political party’s chief over his opposition to the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying the politician was “extremely angry” over not being given a role in the move or being offered the governorship.

In an informal conversation with journalists in Lahore, Naqvi said the politician had spent several decades pursuing politics with the support of the establishment.

“This was the same politician who used to get even the air tickets for his political party arranged through the establishment,” he said.

Read: Sanaullah links reversal of K-P governor's rule to PTI support for counterterrorism efforts

“Such politicians do not look good pointing fingers at others today,” Naqvi said, adding that political differences were part of politics but discussions should be based on arguments and facts rather than “uncivilised language” and allegations.

Although Naqvi did not name the politician, his remarks appeared to refer to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who has categorically rejected the government’s decision to impose governor’s rule and an emergency in the province.

Naqvi also criticised political leaders who had recently expressed concern over the resources of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), questioning their silence during the years when the districts were not receiving their due share.

“When the former Fata districts were not receiving their rightful share for several years, why were these people silent at the time?” he asked.

“Why did they not remember to issue any statement for the rights of the people of former Fata at that time?” he added.

The interior minister said the rights and resources of the people of former Fata should be kept above political interests.

He said K-P was facing serious security challenges and urged political leaders to contribute to restoring peace and stability.

“Political leaders should play their role in restoring law and order and eliminating terrorism instead of fanning the flames and spreading unrest,” Naqvi said, adding that the province needed peace, stability and collective efforts rather than political confrontation.

Also Read: Fazl didn't set conditions for mediation

The remarks came after the federal government imposed an emergency and governor’s rule in K-P on Sunday, dismissing the PTI-led provincial government. The move drew criticism from opposition parties, including Fazl, Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Fazl was central to recent political developments surrounding negotiations between the government and the opposition, with both sides agreeing to his role as a mediator in a bid to find a way forward.

However, despite several rounds of talks, no breakthrough could be achieved, and the government imposed governor’s rule and an emergency in the province, a move rejected by the JUI-F chief.

Speaking to the media earlier this week, Fazl accused the government of backing out of negotiations with the PTI and the opposition despite initially agreeing to their demands.

“I am a witness to the fact that the government backed out after agreeing to the demands,” he said, questioning why it had reneged on its commitment.

A day earlier, addressing the Mufti Mahmood conference in Multan, Fazl criticised the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in K-P, alleging that the government was using the security situation to justify its actions, while arguing that Balochistan faced even greater security challenges.

“If governor’s rule is being imposed because of law and order, and an emergency is being declared for the same reason, then Balochistan would have been the more deserving province,” he said.

He also alleged that the emergency had placed the resources of the former tribal areas under federal control, despite those resources having become part of the province following the merger.

Fazl said the Constitution guaranteed autonomy to the four provinces within the federation, including authority over their resources and legislation. However, he said, provincial autonomy had repeatedly been undermined.

“This is not a confederation in which a unit can seek independence and separate whenever it wishes. It is a federation in which all units and provinces have control over their resources and the authority to legislate,” he said.

Maryam Nawaz laments Fazl statements

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also lamented Fazl's statements, saying she had not expected a senior politician who had himself been a victim of terrorism to support those backing terrorism.

In a statement on X, she said it was “extremely regrettable” that instead of holding those responsible for K-P’s destruction through “incompetence, inefficiency and corruption” accountable, statements were being issued in their support.

“Those whose support is being expressed should be asked whether they attended even a single funeral of a martyr in 13 years,” Maryam said.

“Instead, terrorists were provided shelter, nurtured and given resources, hideouts and the land of the province to launch attacks on Pakistan,” she alleged.

The chief minister said the province’s valuable resources had been spent on sit-ins and protests, while 13 precious years had been “wasted on corruption and incompetence”.

Referring to the military leadership, Maryam said Fazl’s remarks about the army chief who had led the country to a “historic victory” in the “Battle of Truth” and under whose leadership Pakistan had been given the honour of protecting the Holy Mosques had hurt every patriotic Pakistani.

“Officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army are still taking bullets to eradicate the scourge of terrorism,” she said.

“Every day, someone’s son, someone’s brother and someone’s husband returns home wrapped in the national flag,” she added, saying it was not befitting of Fazl to stand with those obstructing the fight against terrorism instead of paying tribute to the martyrs and supporting the army.

Read More: Achakzai warns Sindh could be next to face governor’s rule

Maryam said Fazl’s party had itself suffered from terrorism, with several of its members killed, while highlighting the PTI’s inappropriate remarks and personal attacks against the JUI-F chief.

“And those whom you are standing with today had, only yesterday, used extremely inappropriate language against you and made personal attacks,” she said.

“For the victims of terrorism to stand with those backing terrorism is something I cannot understand,” she added.

She also held the PTI responsible for the end of her government in K-P.

Azma questions Fazl's motives

Separately, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also criticised Fazl over what she called another “irresponsible” statement, saying his support for “backers of terrorists” was regrettable.

In a statement on X, Bokhari said the federal government, rather than the PTI, was not responsible for the deprivation faced by the former Fata districts, where the PTI had remained in power for 13 years.

She said questions about funds allocated for former Fata and the lack of development work there should be directed to the PTI founder and his party.

“Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his party have themselves been targeted by terrorist attacks several times. Such a statement does not befit Maulana Fazlur Rehman,” she said.

Questioning Fazl’s motives, Bokhari asked what he was trying to achieve through such “irresponsible statements”.

“Do politics, but do not ridicule institutions and martyrs,” she said, adding that Fazl had also made “disrespectful” remarks about martyrs some time ago.

Also Read: Governor's rule imposed in K-P for fourth time

She said the nation had expressed strong anger over his previous statement.

“The PTI is the B-team of terrorist organisations; this is no longer a secret,” Bokhari said.

She added that the federal government had not imposed governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa “out of choice”.

“Governor’s rule was imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because of the PTI government’s pro-terrorist policies,” she said.

Bokhari said Fazl should express regret over his statement, which she said had caused deep grief and anger among the people.

“Such irresponsible statements from a mature politician are unacceptable,” she added.