ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Federal ministers on Thursday responded to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman\u2019s remarks regarding a recent huddle in Tehran comprising the Makkah defence pact countries and Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the meeting was not related to defence. Hence, Asif said his presence was not required, while Naqvi explained the reasons for his participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The remarks came after the JUI-F chief questioned Asif\u2019s absence and Naqvi\u2019s presence at the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting brought together top officials from Iran and member countries of the Makkah Defence Alliance \u2014 including Pakistan\u2019s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Iran\u2019s side, President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were present. The huddle agreed to \u201ccontinue their dialogue to bolster cooperation among the four regional nations, including in the areas of regional peace and security\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Wednesday, Fazl referred to the development during his address in the National Assembly (NA) and commented: \u201cA defence pact is taking shape in Iran, a meeting is under way (there), and the defence minister is sitting here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amid laughter and desk thumping in the Lower House, he referred to Naqvi\u2019s presence at the Tehran huddle and questioned: \u201cThe interior minister is required there as well?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, taking a jibe at Asif, he repeated the defence minister\u2019s phrase that he had used against the PTI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is your respect and stature \u2014 koi sharam hoti hai, koi haya hoti hai (have some shame, show some modesty),\u201d he said, breaking into laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responding to him in the NA on Thursday, Asif said no defence pact was taking shape in Tehran, nor was the discussion focused on Pakistan\u2019s defence or any related matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said CDF Munir had \u201cassumed a role for Pakistan\u201d following last year\u2019s military conflict with India. That role, he said, was of \u201cpeace and dialogue so that peace is established in our region\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since then, he noted, Pakistan has signed two defence pacts \u2014 the Makkah defence pact and the Badr Memorandum of Understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was involved in those pacts as I am the defence minister,\u201d he explained, adding that the meeting in Tehran was \u201cnot the defence ministry\u2019s mandate\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CDF had gone there \u201cas a messenger of peace and paved the ground\u201d for the huddle, he said, ostensibly referring to Tehran last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During that visit, the CDF had proposed the Tehran meeting, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asif said this was the situation and he was \u201cnot needed in Tehran\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the CDF had played a role in averting a confrontation. \u201cThe situation could have deteriorated as far as the Yemen issue is concerned [\u2026] There has been some talk and peace may emerge in the coming days or week as far as Saudi Arabia versus Yemen [sic] is concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asif advised Fazl to be the bigger person and said his criticism was \u201cmisplaced\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The defence minister further said Pakistan\u2019s and the CDF\u2019s role at the international level should be acknowledged, keeping political differences aside. He said one should at least show some dignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Not related to defence\u2019
Meanwhile, in the Senate, Naqvi also responded to Fazl\u2019s remarks on his participation in the Tehran meeting. The proceedings were marred by loud exchanges between the interior minister and JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naqvi clarified that he and CDF Munir undertook the visit to \u201chandle the ongoing crisis in Iran\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Fazl\u2019s query of why Asif had not gone there, he said, \u201cHe (Fazl) did not know that this [trip] was not related to defence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defending his inclusion, the minister said: \u201cI do not go out of my own volition. I have been especially tasked by the prime minister sahib; he has entrusted me with some matters regarding the current crisis of the [Iran] war, because of which I go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The independent senator noted that the JUI-F had been commenting on him for many days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI personally had heartfelt respect for Maulana Fazlur Rehman, but yesterday when he said I spit on the state, that respect ended,\u201d Naqvi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naqvi said he wanted to ask Fazl and his party\u2019s senators present there just one question and then noted that JUI-F leaders had made very \u201cdisgusting statements about institutions\u201d three to four months ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This prompted Senator Murtaza to object, saying he could not speak on a personal agenda in the House. Presiding Officer Shahadat Awan also immediately said he was expunging the word \u201cdisgusting\u201d from Naqvi\u2019s remarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Murtaza continued shouting, Naqvi said, \u201cYou should listen here \u2026 You will have to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The presiding officer noted that Naqvi was a member of the Senate and urged the JUI-F leader to take his seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resuming his remarks, Naqvi said, \u201cGiving people the perception that this was a defence pact; this was not a defence agreement at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added: \u201cFor them, the state is like a mother until the day they can squeeze it dry. The state is very good as long as they can extract wealth from the state, and when you do not get a share in the state and the government, then you spit on the state. This is not appropriate anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Murtaza again interrupted, objecting to Naqvi\u2019s language, at which the latter replied that the other side had also used similar language a day ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the JUI-F senator continued speaking amid the presiding officer\u2019s calls to halt cross-talk, Naqvi said, \u201cIf they criticise, they should garner and keep the courage to take the answer as well. This is no way [to behave] that you go and say whatever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The interior minister then went on to criticise the JUI-F, alleging that it \u201cused Islam for business and for politics\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amid the ruckus, PML-N\u2019s Abid Sher Ali also stood up and responded loudly, prompting State Minister of Interior Tallal Chaudhry and the presiding officer to urge him to take his seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naqvi then addressed PTI\u2019s Ali Zafar and said, \u201cThese very people (JUI-F) used to come to us before governor\u2019s rule [was imposed] and say, \u2018Impose governor\u2019s rule, rid us of them!\u2019 [\u2026] Those who come and sit with you and engage in opposition wanted governor\u2019s rule imposed from their hearts. I will prove this to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing JUI-F, the interior minister said, \u201cNow, you will not get jobs in the state. Now you will not get money from the state, nor will you get tickets from the state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He asserted that it was the JUI-F that was \u201ccontinuously crossing the line\u201d and that they would get a response if they kept doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Full of contradictions\u2019
In his remarks in the NA, Asif alleged that Fazl\u2019s past \u201cis full of contradictions\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou taunt me with \u2018have some shame, show some modesty\u2019, but you should also have some shame and show some modesty. How many perks have you enjoyed over the past 40 years? You have been violating the very principles that you have been highlighting,\u201d the PML-N leader said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He recalled that Fazl had also offered to mediate with Kabul. \u201cWere you the foreign minister?\u201d he questioned, alleging that the move was aimed at \u201cvalue addition to his politics and leverage that to extract maximum advantage from the government\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asif said Fazl had been in the government with every political party, making an incomplete remark: \u201cWhen you don\u2019t get a share in the power \u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you delete the past from your memory and attack your rivals \u2014 at least I don\u2019t have that courage. When I speak, my past is fresh in my mind; that if I say this, whether I would be taunted that we supported General Ziaul Haq\u2019s government,\u201d he went on to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The defence minister recalled that Fazl was part of the Musharraf government, had also been an opposition leader in the House and also served as the Kashmir Committee chairperson. He said a person serving as the head of such a committee that raises issues at an international forum should have \u201cimpeccable credentials\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When some lawmakers opposed him in favour of Fazl, he remarked, \u201cThe Maulana now needs women\u2019s support. He is unable to find a man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also accused Fazl of \u201ctargeting our diplomatic efforts\u201d, saying that the government\u2019s achievement at the global stage had not received the commendation they deserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asif said his advice to the JUI-F would be a line often seen on buses and trucks: \u201cMehnat kar, hasad na kar (work hard and don\u2019t envy).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He ended his address, alleging that had Fazl been given some share in the governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of emergency and governor\u2019s rule in the province, the JUI-F chief\u2019s address the previous day would not have been delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis sideshow that they (JUI-F) are running, I feel that it is unfortunate that our sisters have been forced to defend the men [of JUI-F] while the men are nowhere to be seen,\u201d Asif remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Describing Fazl\u2019s address as \u201cblackmail\u201d, Asif warned against coming into power based on \u201ccompromises\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSitting in the opposition would be a more respectable approach, rather than sitting with people who will blackmail you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe as senior parliamentarians should convey to the nation that we will not do group-based politics but politics rooted in the constitution and [..] for the security of the country,\u201d Asif urged, adding that lawmakers should chart a way forward together, rather than \u201cgrabbing each other by the collar\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electoral reforms committee
In his remarks, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas claimed KP had been \u201csnatched from the people\u201d and reiterated the opposition\u2019s allegations of rigging in the 2024 general elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf even one person\u2019s vote is snatched, it is a crime. It is the responsibility of those conducting elections to protect the vote. Earlier also you laid a crooked brick, and Pakistan broke. On Feb 8, elections were stolen. While stealing elections, where have you reached \u2014 you have even stolen Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,\u201d he claimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The opposition leader said no society could progress without law, or function if law existed but without its implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The House also took up a motion moved by Minister of State for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik for the constitution of a parliamentary electoral reforms committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PTI\u2019s Zafar said he could write down entire electoral reforms on paper in an hour. \u201cThe issue is implementation. Make such a committee and procedure that the electoral process is actually implemented. Whatever they want to do, only that is approved,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barrister Aqeel said the issue could be resolved by sitting together and asked members to bring their proposals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Federal ministers on Thursday responded to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman\u2019s remarks regarding a recent huddle in Tehran comprising the Makkah defence pact countries and Iran. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the meeting was not related to defence. Hence, Asif said his presence was not required, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":135606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n