ISLAMABAD (Pakistan News): Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that Khawaja Asif is like a brother to him and that he had only made a lighthearted remark, but the defence minister expressed his displeasure over it the following day.
Reacting to the current political situation and Khawaja Asif’s statements, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said attempts were being made to unnecessarily create bitterness in political affairs. He said that, as a citizen of Pakistan, he was entitled to answers from the government regarding his questions and concerns. Abusing people or making fake videos was not an answer to any question.
He said Khawaja Asif was a respected person and like a brother to him. He had only teased him a little, but Khawaja Asif became angry the next day. He remarked that a punch remembered too late should be directed at oneself.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that instead of answering the questions, Khawaja Asif had repeated his own position. He added that when he held up a mirror to the rulers and exposed their lies, they felt offended. He questioned why the rulers became angry whenever the government was asked questions.
The JUI-F chief warned that he had so far exercised restraint, but if he started responding, it would become difficult for his opponents to handle the situation.
He revealed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had no major demand; it had only requested a meeting with its founder and access to medical treatment for him. When the possibility of a meeting was discussed, he had made it clear that there would be no secret meeting.
According to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the prime minister himself had suggested a way to resolve the matter, in response to which he presented his own proposals as well as those of PTI. He said he was given a warm farewell at the time, but now claims were being made that no such discussions had taken place.
He questioned how the matter could have been approved when Ishaq Dar had not even presented it before the cabinet. He expressed surprise at what he described as a major deception of the public and political leadership, adding that politics could not be conducted on the basis of lies.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman stressed that Article 2 and other constitutional provisions clearly state that the country's system should operate according to the people's decisions and the will of their elected representatives.