Khawaja Asif rebukes Maulana Fazlur Rehman over remarks on soldiers’ sacrifices

WEB DESK: Following the controversial statements made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Functional (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif along with other ministers took to X to criticise Maulana’s take on the armed forces.

On July 13 Asif said that as a seasoned politician and religious leader, Maulana was expected to exercise greater responsibility in his choice of words. He argued that linking the sacrifices of soldiers to their salaries was “not only unfair” but also deeply hurtful to the families of martyrs, adding that “no one sacrifices their life merely for a salary.”

On July 11, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while addressing the Tahafuz-e-Deeniya o Awami Huqooq Conference in Kasur, accused the armed forces of interfering in the country’s politics and made controversial remarks about the sacrifices of military personnel. His comments drew strong criticism from several federal ministers and political leaders, who accused him of undermining the sacrifices of the country’s security forces.

According to Asif, such sacrifices stem from ideology, faith, duty and devotion to the country. While acknowledging that people may disagree with policies or procedures, he said they should not undermine the patriotism and commitment of those serving the nation. Calling such remarks “moral insensitivity,” Asif urged political parties to unite against terrorism, stand alongside the country’s security forces, and honour the sacrifices of martyrs and their families.

On July 14, the defence minister wrote another tweet defending his earlier statement that his critics had revived a speech he delivered 20 years ago, arguing that it should be viewed in the political context of the time, when, he claimed, many of those now criticising him were allies of the military government through the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).

He accused the then military ruler of suspending the Constitution, toppling an elected government and aligning Pakistan with the US-led “war on terror”, the consequences of which, he said, the country continued to face in the form of terrorism. Referring to the present, Asif said the military leadership had led Pakistan to a “historic victory” against its enemies and strengthened the country’s standing through diplomacy, while working with the constitutional civilian government to tackle internal security threats.

Ministers and political leaders criticise Maulana Fazlur Rehman

Paying tribute to the martyrs, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the entire nation owed a debt of gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives for the country. Tarar also honoured the families of the fallen, particularly parents and loved ones who bid farewell to soldiers while praying for their martyrdom, describing their courage as exemplary. He said such brave sons of the nation were Pakistan’s greatest asset and stressed that there was no room for political debate over their sacrifices. “No price can ever be placed on such sacrifices,” he added.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal urged Maulana to reconsider his recent remarks on the armed forces, saying they had hurt the sentiments of millions of Pakistanis and diminished the sacrifices of the country’s martyrs. Iqbal said soldiers and officers did not merely perform a profession but risked their lives every day to defend the country. He argued that while salaries compensated service, no financial reward could ever equal the sacrifice of giving one’s life. Citing verses from the Quran and a Hadith on the virtues of martyrdom, he said the nation’s martyrs must remain above politics and their sacrifices should always be honoured with dignity and respect.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Rana Sanaullah said that martyrdom was the ultimate aspiration of a true believer and could not be understood through a material lens.

Sanaullah wrote: “Martyrdom is the cherished goal of a believer. It is the destiny of the one who may appear to be merely a reciter but is, in reality, the embodiment of the Quran.”

He prayed that Allah grant the families of the martyrs and wounded veterans patience and unwavering faith, saying their sacrifices remained the guarantee of Pakistan’s freedom and survival.