The political clash framed as Maryam Nawaz vs Fazlur Rehman deepened on Friday when Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif criticised Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over what she called support for those backing terrorism. In a statement posted on X, she said she had not expected such a position from a senior politician who had himself been a victim of terrorist violence.
What the Punjab CM said
Maryam Nawaz argued that instead of pressing for accountability from those she blames for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s decline through incompetence, mismanagement and corruption, Maulana Fazl was speaking in their defence. That defence, she said, was deeply regrettable.
She asked whether those being defended had attended even a single funeral of a terrorism victim during 13 years in power. She alleged that the same circle had sheltered militants, nurtured them and supplied resources, safe havens and territory from which attacks on Pakistan could be launched.
The chief minister also accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) of harming people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, spending provincial resources on sit-ins and protests, and letting years slip away to corruption and weak governance. She rejected any suggestion that others were to blame for PTI’s loss of power in the province, saying the party itself was responsible for the end of its own government there.
Remarks about the army chief
Taking exception to Maulana Fazl’s comments about the army chief, Maryam Nawaz said the words had wounded patriotic Pakistanis. She praised the military leadership for what she described as a historic victory in Marka-e-Haq — a reference to a recent military campaign framed as a “battle for truth” — and said Pakistan had gained the distinction of protecting the Haramain Sharifain, the holy sites in Saudi Arabia, under that leadership.
She said Pakistan Army officers and soldiers continue to die fighting terrorism, with families receiving the bodies of loved ones wrapped in the national flag. Standing with those who, in her view, obstruct efforts to eliminate terrorism was, she argued, unbecoming of the JUI-F chief.
JUI-F’s own losses and her closing line
Maryam Nawaz noted that JUI-F had itself suffered from terrorism and lost party members in militant attacks. She also said those Maulana Fazl was now supporting had earlier used harsh language against him and mounted personal attacks.
“For victims of terrorism to stand with those who back terrorism is, at the very least, beyond my comprehension,” she said. The exchange leaves Maryam Nawaz vs Fazlur Rehman as an open political fault line over how parties talk about militancy, the military and responsibility for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s security record. For related constitutional debate around the province, see Emergency constitutional procedure: Dar cites Articles 232, 234.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Punjab ki CM Maryam Nawaz ne Maulana Fazlur Rehman ki baat ka jawab diya hai. Unhone kaha ke Maulana un logon ka saath de rahe hain jinhein wo dehshatgardi ka himayati kehti hain. Unka kehna hai ke fauj aur shaheedon ke saath khara hona chahiye, na ke unke mukhalifon ke. Aam logon ke liye yeh siyasi jhagda hai; seedha asar petrol ya billon par nahi, lekin KP aur dehshatgardi ke mawad par garmi barh sakti hai.
