Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday criticised Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), over his stance on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). In a post on X, she said she had not expected a politician who had himself been a victim of terrorism to back people she accused of supporting militants.
She called it regrettable that Fazlur Rehman was standing with those she held responsible for the destruction of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rather than calling them to account.
Maryam’s allegations against PTI over militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Maryam asked whether the people Fazlur Rehman was supporting had attended the funerals of any terrorism victims over the past 13 years. She alleged that they had given militants shelter, resources and territory in the province.
She also accused PTI of spending Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s resources on sit-ins and protests, while corruption and poor governance were allowed to continue for 13 years. She added that the PTI itself was responsible for the end of its government in the province.
Maryam noted that PTI leaders had previously subjected Fazlur Rehman to personal attacks and inappropriate language. She questioned why he was now aligned with those who had targeted him.
Criticism of Fazlur Rehman’s remarks on the army chief
Maryam also faulted Fazlur Rehman for his comments about the army chief, saying they had hurt the feelings of patriotic Pakistanis. She said army officers and soldiers were sacrificing their lives in the fight against terrorism, while mothers, sisters and wives kept receiving the bodies of their loved ones draped in the national flag.
She said that backing those she accused of aiding terrorism, instead of paying tribute to the martyrs, was unbecoming of Fazlur Rehman. She pointed out that his own party had lost members to militant attacks. The chief minister added that it was difficult to understand why victims of terrorism would side with those she accused of supporting militants.
