Fazlur Rehman faced strong criticism from senior federal ministers after remarks linking fallen soldiers to their salaries. Government leaders said his comments undermined the sacrifices of Pakistan’s martyrs.
Operation Shaaban Security forces kill 83 militants in ongoing Balochistan operation
The controversy began after the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief addressed a party gathering in Kasur. While discussing security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, he said soldiers who died in the line of duty were salaried employees assigned to defend the country.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the remarks as disappointing. According to Asif, soldiers sacrifice their lives for faith, patriotism and duty, not for financial reward. He also argued that political disagreements should never diminish the honour of martyrs and said the comments deeply hurt their families, including widows and orphaned children.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah shared a message on X. Although he did not name Fazlur Rehman, the adviser praised the sacrifices of martyrs and prayed for their families.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also criticised the statement. He said Pakistan’s soldiers defend the country while risking their lives every day. In his view, reducing their sacrifice to a salary was unfair and inconsistent with moral and Islamic values. Iqbal also urged political leaders to avoid statements that could hurt the families of martyrs or weaken national unity.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also honoured Pakistan’s fallen soldiers. He said the nation could never measure their sacrifices through political debate.
Likewise, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Pakistan’s armed forces protect the country’s security, dignity and future. He stressed that no political statement could erase the sacrifices written in the nation’s history.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi also rejected the remarks. According to Abbasi, Pakistan’s peace and stability exist because of its martyrs. He urged political leaders to show responsibility when discussing national security.
Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Aun Chaudhry called on Fazlur Rehman to apologise to the families of martyrs and the nation. He said patriotism, courage and faith define martyrdom, not salaries. Referring to 16-year-old Aitzaz Hasan, who sacrificed his life while stopping a suicide bomber in 2014, Chaudhry said the teenager acted to save his classmates and his country, not for financial gain.
Separately, MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also criticised the remarks. He urged political parties to place national interest above political differences. Additionally, he asked leaders to avoid statements that could damage the morale of Pakistan’s armed forces.
