Ministers hit out at Fazl over K-P remarks

Federal ministers on Saturday intensified their criticism of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his opposition to the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), insisting that the move was aimed at addressing terrorism rather than pursuing political interests.

In a statement posted on X, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry lambasted Fazl for linking the imposition of emergency in K-P to an alleged attempt to take control of the province's mineral resources.

Chaudhry said it was regrettable to politicise a serious national issue such as terrorism through allegations. He urged the JUI-F chief, whom he described as a senior politician familiar with the consequences of terrorism, to play a constructive role in efforts to eliminate the menace.

He said the federal government's priority was to protect the public and restore peace in K-P. He added that Pakistan's armed forces were sacrificing lives to secure peace and that the situation called for national unity and a coordinated strategy against terrorism rather than political point-scoring.

Chaudhry also called on PTI, which he said had governed K-P for 13 years, to answer questions about its performance and the deteriorating law and order situation.

He said the people of K-P needed peace, security and development rather than political disputes, and urged Fazl to support national efforts against terrorism.

Speaking to the media in Jaranwala, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the decision was an administrative measure taken after considering other options, with the sole objective of combating terrorism.

He rejected the suggestion that the federal government intended to remove the PTI government to strengthen the presence of the PML-N in the province.

Talal expressed disappointment over Fazl's criticism, saying the government had not expected the JUI-F chief to seek a share in K-P's political arrangements following the removal of the PTI government.

Talal also questioned Fazl's references to the 2024 general elections and the separation of East Pakistan in 1971. He said the JUI-F had lost the election in K-P to the PTI, while in Balochistan it had been defeated by Mahmood Khan Achakzai's Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party.

The minister said he did not understand why Fazl was linking the current situation to the 1971 separation, adding that the measures in K-P were not intended to distribute political shares, form alliances or establish governments.

He maintained that JUI-F deserved respect when it stood with Pakistan's interests. Talal also offered to work with all relevant stakeholders to implement the National Action Plan and jointly combat terrorism, stressing that political activity was possible only where peace prevailed.

He said only one member of the K-P advisory council had a political background, explaining that she represented families of security personnel who had died in the line of duty.