Ministers hit back at Fazl in parliament

ISLAMABAD:

In a tit-for-tat response to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticism of the government's misuse of the Constitution, federal ministers on Thursday hit back at the maulana in parliament, accusing him of overlooking his own role in forming and toppling governments and colluding with the powers that be.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi responded in the National Assembly and Senate, respectively, to the allegations and criticism levelled by the JUI-F chief.

Fazl had criticised Asif during a National Assembly session a day earlier, questioning the government's role in discussions related to the Makkah defence pact in Tehran while the prime minister and defence minister remained in Pakistan.

Addressing the National Assembly, Asif said his presence in Tehran had not been necessary because no defence agreement was being negotiated.

He credited Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir with promoting reconciliation and regional peace following Pakistan's military victory in a conflict over the past year or so.

Asif said he had participated in both defence agreements but had no role in the Tehran discussions. He thanked Fazl for expressing concern about his absence but said the criticism was misplaced.

Turning to Fazl's political record, Asif accused the JUI-F chief of overlooking his own history of cooperation with successive governments while criticising political opponents.

He said Fazl had been associated with successive administrations and benefited from political arrangements over the years.

Asif also referred to Fazl's role in forming coalition governments and his tenure as opposition leader, saying politicians should acknowledge their past decisions before criticising others.

He said he was frequently reminded of a speech he had delivered in 2004 whenever he spoke in support of Rawalpindi, an apparent reference to the military establishment. Asif said he had publicly apologised for his past political positions.

"I am the only politician who has apologised for his past," he claimed.

The defence minister also criticised Fazl's role during the period of the Legal Framework Order (LFO), saying he had participated in the political system while serving as opposition leader.

Asif questioned Fazl's decade-long tenure as chairman of the parliamentary Kashmir Committee.

"What achievements did he accomplish as chairman of the Kashmir Committee?" Asif asked, accusing the JUI-F chief of enjoying official privileges without delivering meaningful results.

He also criticised Fazl's political legacy and questioned his party's historical position on Pakistan's independence. Asif said positions and honours previously granted to Fazl and his allies had come from governments in which the JUI-F chief himself had participated.

Responding to Fazl's remarks about shame and modesty, Asif urged him to reflect on his own political record.

JUI-F lawmakers repeatedly interrupted the speech as tensions rose in the house. Asif warned opposition members against provoking him into making further disclosures.

"They have turned religion and politics into a source of income. If I start revealing what they did during the PDM government, I will tell everything," he said, referring to the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government.

In the Senate, Naqvi rejected allegations that his recent visit to Iran was aimed at negotiating a defence agreement, saying he had travelled to Tehran on a special assignment from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif related to the ongoing crisis.

"A campaign has been going on against me for some time," Naqvi said, rejecting claims that the visit was intended to secure a defence pact.

"The defence minister was asked about it, and he was unaware. He did not know because no defence-related discussions took place," he said, adding that Sharif had assigned him a specific task.

Naqvi said he had previously held Fazl in high regard but had changed his view after the JUI-F chief allegedly made remarks against the state and state institutions.

"Maulana Sahib made filthy remarks about the institutions," he said.

Naqvi accused the JUI-F of criticising the government when excluded from power but supporting it when offered positions or financial benefits.

"If they get a share in the government, everything is fine. If they have no role in the government, they start speaking against it," he said.

"When they receive money from the state, the state is good. When they do not receive money, they turn against it," he added, accusing the party of using religion for political and financial gain.

Referring to the imposition of governor's rule, Naqvi said JUI-F members had previously urged the government to take the step.

Addressing PTI Senator Ali Zafar, he alleged that JUI-F leaders had privately pressed for governor's rule before it was imposed, despite later opposing the move publicly. He said he was prepared to substantiate the claim.