Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has refused to apologize for his controversial remarks on national security and the role of state institutions, further intensifying the political debate across Pakistan.
Speaking to lawyers affiliated with his party, the veteran politician stated that he would neither withdraw his comments nor offer an apology. Instead, he argued that those who launched what he described as a propaganda campaign against him should apologize.
The controversy began after Maulana Fazlur Rehman delivered a speech during a party rally in Kasur, where he discussed the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He rejected calls for political workers to form private militias to combat militant groups and criticized the involvement of individuals in politics while serving in uniform, saying anyone wishing to enter politics should first leave official service.
The remarks triggered strong reactions from the federal government. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticized the comments, saying they were unfair to Pakistan’s armed forces and the families of martyred soldiers. Meanwhile, legal proceedings have also begun, with a Gujranwala court issuing a notice to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over the matter.
The controversy has fueled a broader political debate, with supporters defending the speech as an exercise of political expression, while critics argue the remarks exceeded acceptable limits. The case is expected to continue through legal proceedings in the coming weeks.
