Mohsin Naqvi: Fazlur Rehman Has Lost All Respect After Anti-State Remarks

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly criticised Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his alleged remarks about the state, saying that he had held the religious-political leader in high regard but could no longer respect him following the controversial statement.

Speaking in the Senate, Naqvi said he had personally respected Fazlur Rehman but that his alleged remark about “spitting on the state” had left no room for further respect.

“You can disagree and pursue your political agenda, but there are certain things that do not befit any politician,” the interior minister said.

Naqvi accused Fazlur Rehman and his party of changing their stance towards the state depending on whether they received a share in the government or access to state resources.

“The state is a mother as long as you continue to draw benefits from it. As long as you receive money from the state, it is good. But when you do not get a share in the government, you start speaking against it,” he said.

The minister also accused certain political figures of using religion for political and commercial purposes, adding that those who criticised him should also have the courage to listen to his response.

During his Senate speech, Naqvi also addressed criticism over his recent visit to Iran, rejecting allegations that he had travelled there to negotiate a defence agreement.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had assigned him a special task related to the ongoing regional crisis and that his visit had nothing to do with a defence agreement.

Naqvi explained that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had not been aware of the details because no defence-related discussions had taken place during the visit.

Responding to questions about why the defence minister had not accompanied him, Naqvi reiterated that the trip was undertaken to address the prevailing crisis rather than to negotiate a military arrangement.

He said the criticism directed at him by JUI-F had continued for several days and accused the party of questioning his visit without understanding its purpose.

The interior minister's remarks prompted protests from opposition lawmakers during the Senate session. JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza also objected to the language used by Naqvi.

The minister, however, stood by his criticism, arguing that some politicians supported the state when they benefited from government positions and resources but turned against it when they were excluded from power.

Naqvi further claimed that certain political figures had previously sought government intervention to resolve their political difficulties, while now criticising the state and its institutions.

The exchange reflects escalating tensions between the government and JUI-F leadership amid disagreements over political representation, the role of state institutions and the government's handling of the regional crisis.