ISLAMABAD – Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi hit out at Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and its chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, during a Senate session, declaring that the party would no longer receive jobs or financial benefits from the state.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Naqvi criticised Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his remarks that “I spit on the state”, saying that the state appeared to be considered a mother only as long as financial benefits and government positions were available.
“Now you will no longer get jobs and money from the state,” the interior minister said while responding to the JUI-F leadership.
Naqvi said he personally respected Maulana Fazlur Rehman but added that the latter’s recent comments had left little room for maintaining that respect. He also criticised the party for allegedly using religion to advance its political and personal interests.
Addressing criticism over his recent visit to Iran, Naqvi clarified that the trip was not related to any defence agreement. He said he had travelled to Tehran to help manage the ongoing crisis on the directions of the prime minister.
“I do not go there out of personal interest. The prime minister has assigned me a task, which is why I travel,” he said.
The interior minister also referred to the criticism directed at him by JUI-F in recent days, saying that certain remarks were unbecoming of political leaders.
During the exchange, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza protested against Naqvi’s remarks, accusing the minister of bringing a personal agenda to the Senate and violating the dignity of the House.
Murtaza described Naqvi as a minister who frequently handled different portfolios, questioning his conduct during the parliamentary proceedings.
He further alleged that lawmakers in the assemblies and Senate were being contacted and asked to speak against Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He also accused the government of portraying criticism of certain individuals as criticism of the state.
