LAHORE: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has criticised a political leader opposing the proposed imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), in remarks widely interpreted as targeting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
During an informal exchange with journalists in Lahore, Naqvi was quoted as suggesting that a political party chief was unhappy because he had not been offered the governorship of K-P. However, no formal media interaction took place.
Naqvi also alleged that the politician had relied on the establishment for decades, including for the allocation of party tickets. He argued that political leaders should defend their positions through facts and reasoned debate rather than personal attacks, abusive language and allegations.
Naqvi Calls for Focus on Security and Tribal Districts
The interior minister questioned why some political leaders had only recently begun raising concerns about the rights and resources of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
He asked why, in his view, they had remained silent when the merged districts were allegedly denied their due share of resources.
Naqvi said the rights of residents of the former tribal areas should be treated as a priority beyond political interests.
He also highlighted the security challenges facing K-P, urging political leaders to support efforts to restore peace and eliminate terrorism.
According to Naqvi, the province needed stability and collective action rather than political confrontation that could deepen unrest.
Maryam Nawaz Accuses Fazlur Rehman of Defending PTI
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and her information minister also criticised Fazlur Rehman over his opposition to governor’s rule in K-P.
In a statement on X, Maryam said she had not expected a senior politician who had himself experienced terrorism to support those allegedly backing it.
She argued that those responsible for the province’s deteriorating situation should be held accountable for what she described as incompetence, corruption and poor governance.
Maryam questioned whether the people Fazlur Rehman was defending had attended the funerals of victims killed during their 13 years in power in the province.
She accused them of providing terrorists with shelter, resources, safe havens and territory from which to launch attacks against Pakistan. These allegations were part of her political criticism and were not independently established in the supplied report.
The Punjab chief minister also criticised the use of provincial resources for sit-ins and protests, alleging that years of PTI rule had been wasted through corruption and mismanagement.
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Dispute Over Remarks About Military Leadership
Maryam also objected to Fazlur Rehman’s remarks concerning the military leadership, saying his comments about the field commander who had led Pakistan to what she described as a historic victory had hurt patriotic Pakistanis.
She argued that Fazlur Rehman’s position was difficult to understand given the losses suffered by his own party and its associates in terrorist attacks.
Maryam further pointed to the personal attacks and abusive language that Fazlur Rehman had faced in the past from political figures whose cause he was now allegedly defending.
Fazlur Rehman Opposes Governor’s Rule in K-P
Fazlur Rehman has been among the prominent political opponents of the proposed imposition of governor’s rule in K-P.
He has rejected the move and blamed the government for the failure of negotiations, disputing its claim that PTI’s negotiating team repeatedly changed its position at the direction of the provincial chief minister.
The dispute comes amid continuing political tensions over the province’s governance, security situation and the federal government’s proposed intervention.
While Naqvi and Maryam have questioned Fazlur Rehman’s stance, the JUI-F chief has maintained his opposition to governor’s rule. The competing statements reflect the growing political disagreement over how K-P’s security challenges and governance issues should be addressed.
