ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Fazlur Rehman has defended his recent remarks about the country’s security situation, saying his criticism was aimed at policymakers rather than the armed forces or state institutions.
Speaking at a lawyers’ convention in Islamabad, Fazlur Rehman accused the country’s rulers of using the sacrifices of martyrs for political purposes. He said the honour of those who lost their lives should remain above political disagreements.
He stressed that sacrifices made by martyrs should never be used to hide failures or settle political disputes. According to him, respect for the country’s martyrs must always be maintained.
The JUI-F leader also rejected calls for an apology over his recent comments. He said he would neither withdraw nor apologize because his statements had been misunderstood.
His clarification came after criticism over remarks made during a public gathering in Kasur last week. Those comments, which related to the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, drew strong reactions from several political leaders.
Members of the ruling coalition had demanded an apology, arguing that his remarks were inappropriate. However, Fazlur Rehman maintained that his comments were never intended to insult soldiers or question the sacrifices of the armed forces.
He explained that his criticism focused on those responsible for making national policies. He said institutions should perform their duties within the constitutional framework and remain committed to their defined responsibilities.
The veteran politician also claimed that a coordinated campaign was underway to misrepresent his statements. According to him, his political opponents were deliberately twisting his words to damage both his personal reputation and the image of his party.
He argued that criticism of government policies should not be viewed as criticism of the state. In his view, questioning decisions made by policymakers is a normal part of democratic politics.
The JUI-F chief said he would not change his position because of political pressure or public criticism. He emphasized that democratic societies should allow open debate on important national issues.
During his speech, he once again paid tribute to the country’s martyrs. He said their sacrifices deserve the highest respect and should never become part of political arguments.
He added that many members of his own party had also lost their lives in terrorist attacks. Because of those losses, he said, the fight against terrorism holds deep personal importance for him and his party.
Fazlur Rehman also stressed that Pakistan’s strength depends on the supremacy of the Constitution. He said every institution should operate within its constitutional boundaries to ensure good governance and democratic stability.
According to him, dialogue and effective policymaking remain the best ways to address the country’s challenges. He urged political leaders to focus on constitutional solutions instead of creating unnecessary divisions.
The JUI-F leader also spoke about the long-delayed registration of religious seminaries. He said an agreement on the issue had been reached during 2004–05, but successive governments had failed to implement it.
Commenting on the country’s political situation, he alleged that the current government lacked genuine electoral legitimacy. He claimed it came to power through rigged elections.
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He further stated that his party had previously been invited to join the provincial government in Balochistan. He also claimed the JUI-F was offered the opportunity to replace the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, he said the party decided not to accept either proposal.
