Pakistani minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that his visits to Iran are not due to personal desire but are under the special responsibilities assigned by the Prime Minister.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while speaking in the Pakistan National Assembly on Wednesday, had targeted the government and especially Khawaja Asif for criticism. He had said that ‘the defense agreement is happening in Iran, a meeting is happening, the defense minister and foreign minister are sitting here. He had questioned that ‘is it also the duty of the Ministry of Interior there? Some self-respect and status, there is some shame, some modesty.
In response to his speech, which went viral on social media, Khawaja Asif said on Thursday that whatever was happening in Tehran was not the mandate of the Ministry of Defense. He further said that ‘I thought I should make it clear on the record that I was not needed there (in Tehran).
He, however, reminded that he was present on the occasion of the two recent defense agreements. ‘The Field Marshal arrived there as a messenger of peace, paved the way for it, and the intelligence chiefs of Saudi Arabia and Turkey came there. The defense minister also did not come from Turkey.
Khawaja Asif further said that ‘The situation of Yemen and Saudi Arabia could have worsened, but it has been given some stability, and the talks have moved in the direction that, in the coming days or weeks, the situation regarding Yemen and Saudi Arabia moves towards peace.
Therefore, I think this criticism was not correct. On Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s words, he said that ‘He taunts me, saying Have some shame, have some modesty. You also have some shame and some modesty.’
What things and privileges have you enjoyed in the last 40 years of politics? What achievement have you accomplished as the Chairman of the Kashmir Committee for ten years? He said that ‘Maulana’s entire politics is based on religion. For me it is fine, it should be, those who have the franchise of religion can use it for politics.
During Khawaja Asif’s speech in the National Assembly, when a female member from the opposition benches tried to speak, Khawaja Asif said that ‘Now Maulana needs the support of women. No man is found who can defend (him).
Earlier on Wednesday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while speaking in the National Assembly, had said that ‘We were defamed that these people are supporting terrorism, these people are supporting terrorism. Well, if anyone has fought a war against terrorism among the public, then I have fought it.
Are you taunting me? If I had not been with you on this front, today you would have been blown away, you would not even be visible. But we want the rule of the constitution in the country, we talk about parliamentary democracy.
Later, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while addressing the Senate on Thursday itself, responding to Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s criticism, said that ‘To give the impression that (with Iran) this was a defense agreement, although it was not a defense agreement at all.
Mohsin Naqvi said that his visits to Iran are not on personal wish but are under the special responsibilities assigned by the Prime Minister. He said that the Prime Minister has given him important responsibilities regarding Iran, which are related to the situation arising after the war of America and Israel against Iran.
The Interior Minister, while targeting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam for criticism, alleged that this party has ‘used Islam as a business and for politics.
Criticizing Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Mohsin Naqvi said that ‘For them, the state is like a mother until they squeeze it and empty it. The state is very good as long as they can extract wealth from it, but when they do not get a share in the state and government, they spit on the state. This attitude is not appropriate anywhere.’
Kamran Murtaza once again intervened and objected to Mohsin Naqvi’s words, to which Mohsin Naqvi replied that similar words were used from the other side a day earlier as well.
During the uproar, Abid Sher Ali of Pakistan Muslim League-N also stood up and started responding in a loud voice, upon which Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry intervened.
After that, Mohsin Naqvi, addressing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Ali Zafar, said, these same people (leaders of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F) used to come to us before the Governor’s rule was imposed and used to say impose Governor’s rule, rid us of them. Those people who come and sit with you and do opposition, they wholeheartedly wanted Governor’s rule to be imposed. I will prove this to you.
Addressing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, the Interior Minister said, now you will not get jobs in the state. Now you will not get money from the state nor will you get tickets from the state.
He claimed that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam is continuously crossing the limits and if it continues this, it will also get a response.
By- Laiba yousafzai
