ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly criticised Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and its chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, over their recent remarks, telling the Senate that political disagreements should not lead to statements against the state.
Naqvi alleged that certain political circles continued to support the state as long as they had a share in government, but changed their stance when they were denied a role in power.
Speaking during a Senate session, the interior minister said JUI-F had been criticising him for several days. He said he had personally held Maulana Fazlur Rehman in high regard, but remarks attributed to the JUI-F chief about the state had made it difficult for him to maintain that respect.
Referring to Fazlur Rehman’s speech a day earlier, Naqvi said that using such language about the state was unbecoming of a political leader. He added that while every politician had the right to express disagreement, those who criticised others should also be prepared to hear a response.
Responding to JUI-F’s criticism, the minister said political leaders were entitled to present their positions on issues, but their statements should be based on facts.
Naqvi also criticised what he described as JUI-F’s political strategy. He alleged that certain elements used religion to advance their political interests and invoked Islam selectively to serve their own purposes.
In his concluding remarks, the interior minister stressed the need to keep matters concerning the state above political interests. Expressing displeasure over Fazlur Rehman’s reported comments, he said that political differences were legitimate, but irresponsible statements about the state should not be considered acceptable.
