ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed during a heated Senate session on Wednesday that JUI-F leaders had previously approached the government and urged it to impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Addressing PTI senators in the House, Naqvi said JUI-F leaders had asked the government to remove the provincial administration through governor’s rule.
“Barrister Ali Zafar sahib is sitting here. These [JUI-F leaders] are the same people who used to come to us before governor’s rule and say, ‘Impose governor’s rule and rid us of them’,” he said.
His remarks triggered protests from JUI-F lawmakers, including Senator Kamran Murtaza. The chair repeatedly intervened, urging members to avoid cross-talk and allow the interior minister to complete his statement.
Naqvi Rejects Claims About Iran Visit
Naqvi’s comments came in response to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s remarks a day earlier, including questions about the purpose of the interior minister’s visit to Iran.
The interior minister rejected claims that Pakistani officials had travelled to Iran to negotiate a defence agreement. He said the visit focused on addressing the ongoing regional crisis.
“This was completely not a defence agreement,” Naqvi said.
He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had specifically assigned him responsibilities related to the conflict.
“I do not go out of enthusiasm. The prime minister has tasked me with the current crisis of this war and entrusted certain things to me, which is why I go,” he said.
Naqvi said he had previously held Fazlur Rehman in personal regard. However, he accused the JUI-F chief of making recent remarks that undermined mutual respect.
“Some things do not befit a politician,” he added.
Interior Minister Accuses JUI-F of Using Religion for Politics
The Senate session grew increasingly tense as Naqvi exchanged sharp remarks with JUI-F lawmakers. Senator Kamran Murtaza continued to protest, while the chair repeatedly called for order.
Naqvi also accused JUI-F leaders of using religion for political and personal gain.
“They have used Islam for politics, they have used Islam for business,” he said, alleging that the party invoked religion when doing so served its interests.
The interior minister further accused JUI-F leaders of supporting the state when they benefited from it but turning against it when they failed to secure a share in power.
“For them, the state is a mother until the day they can squeeze the state,” Naqvi said.
He added that the party viewed the state favourably as long as it received benefits.
“When they do not get a share in the government, then [they] spit on the state,” he said.
Naqvi warned that he would respond to further attacks, arguing that a line had been crossed repeatedly.
“If they do it, they will get an answer,” he said as JUI-F lawmakers continued protesting his speech.
The exchange highlighted growing tensions between the government and JUI-F over provincial politics, the regional crisis and the role of religion in political debate.
