ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday slammed Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal’s (JUI-F’s) chief Maulana Fazal ur Rehman for making what he said were “anti-state statements” in the National Assembly a day before, which, the minister said, left no room for him to respect Rehman.
“JUI-F has crossed a line—they would be handed a befitting response,” Naqvi said at the Senate session, chaired by Presiding Officer Shahadat Awan in the absence of Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani and Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan.
“The state is like a mother to them (JUI-F) till they draw benefits from it—the moment the benefits stop—things change—They use Islam as business—they use religion in everything that benefits them,” he said.
In the same vein, Naqvi added, “Now they will not get money from the state—they will not get employment—they will not get the (electoral) tickets from the state.”
“If they cross a line—they will get a befitting reply in all the ways that matter,” he said.
The ministers’ remarks triggered a protest from JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza who demanded that the minister stop “targeting” Murtaza’s political party and party chief.
Other opposition senators also joined the protest.
“Kamran sahib you have to listen—when you criticise, have the courage to listen,” Naqvi addressed Murtaza.
Addressing the protesting lawmakers, the interior minister said, “Have the courage to hear the reply.”
Referring to the JUI-F chief’s speech delivered in the NA earlier on Wednesday, the interior minister accused him of making anti-state statements.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026