PTI and TTAP delegation voice full support for Fazlur Rehman after NA row
A PTI and TTAP delegation met JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad on Thursday and backed his National Assembly speech. They condemned what they called character assassination by government ministers.
- PTI and TTAP leaders met Fazlur Rehman at his Islamabad residence on Thursday.
- They condemned what they called character assassination of him by ministers.
- Mohsin Naqvi and Khawaja Asif had criticised him in the National Assembly.
- Fazl called for an in-camera session on counterterrorism strategy.
A delegation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) expressed full support on Thursday for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his speech in the National Assembly, The Express Tribune reported.
Asad Qaiser said in a statement on X that the delegation, which included him, Gohar Ali Khan and Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai, met Fazl at his Islamabad residence. Business Recorder described the visit as a show of solidarity after a public spat between Fazl and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
In the statement, Qaiser said: "The visiting delegation expressed full support for Maulana Fazlur Rehman's speech in the National Assembly and strongly condemned the character assassination of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief by government ministers,".
The Express Tribune reported that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticised Fazl in the Assembly during the day's session. The criticism followed his remarks about Asif's absence from talks in Tehran. Ministers said no defence agreement was being negotiated in Tehran.
Fazl had questioned the government's role in discussions on the Makkah defence pact in Tehran, while the prime minister and defence minister remained in Pakistan.
The delegation also condemned the imprisonment of Imran Khan's sisters, alleging they were denied basic rights, family access and access to lawyers. It jointly demanded the public appearance of suspended K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, K-P Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and PTI K-P President Junaid Akbar Khan.
According to the report, the participants warned: "The participants warned that if any unpleasant situation arises as a result of this conduct, full responsibility will fall on the relevant authorities."
The Express Tribune noted earlier criticism of Fazl. In mid-October Mohsin Naqvi criticised him over his opposition to governor's rule in K-P, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz alleged he supported people accused of backing terrorism. On October 18, federal ministers accused him of politicising the security situation. Fazl called the remarks character assassination, said his criticism targeted government policies rather than state institutions, and called for an in-camera parliamentary session on counterterrorism strategy.
Why it matters
Relations between opposition parties and the government in Parliament affect how policy debates on security and governance proceed in Pakistan. The row also touches the debate over counterterrorism strategy and the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
