Maryam Nawaz takes aim at Maulana Fazl over PTI support

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday criticised Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his stance on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying she had not expected a politician who had himself suffered from terrorism to support those she accused of backing militants.

In a post on X, Maryam said it was regrettable that Fazlur Rehman was supporting those responsible for the destruction of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa instead of holding them accountable.

She questioned whether the people he was supporting had attended the funerals of any terrorism victims over the past 13 years, alleging that they had provided militants with shelter, resources and territory in the province.

The Punjab chief minister accused the PTI of wasting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s resources on sit-ins and protests while allowing corruption and poor governance to persist for 13 years.

Maryam also criticised Fazlur Rehman for his remarks 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 continued to receive the bodies of their loved ones wrapped in the national flag.

Maryam said supporting those she accused of backing terrorism, rather than paying tribute to the martyrs, was unbecoming of Fazlur Rehman, whose own party had suffered from terrorism and lost members to militant attacks.

She added that the PTI leadership had previously subjected Fazlur Rehman to personal attacks and inappropriate language, questioning why he was now standing with those who had targeted him.

The Punjab chief minister said it was difficult to understand why victims of terrorism would side with those she accused of supporting militants.

She also maintained that the PTI itself was responsible for the end of its government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.