Ministers condemn Fazlur Rehman’s remarks on soldiers’ sacrifices

Federal ministers and other political leaders on Tuesday criticised Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over remarks in which he referred to security personnel receiving salaries to fight for the country, saying the comments diminished the sacrifices of soldiers martyred in the line of duty.

Fazlur Rehman made the remarks at a recent party rally in Kasur while discussing terrorism and the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He said soldiers’ martyrdom was frequently cited even though security personnel were paid to perform their duties.

The remarks prompted criticism from members of the federal government, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and other political figures, who said military service and martyrdom could not be measured in financial terms.

Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar said those who gave their lives for the country were a source of pride for the nation and that their sacrifices could not be assessed by any worldly standard.

He said there was no room for using the sacrifices of soldiers as part of political debate.

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said Fazlur Rehman’s words had hurt the feelings of millions of Pakistanis.

Iqbal said soldiers did not risk their lives for salaries but acted out of loyalty to the country, commitment to their oath and a sense of national duty.

He said linking martyrdom to financial compensation was neither morally appropriate nor consistent with Islamic teachings.

Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Aun Chaudhry described the remarks as an insult to fallen soldiers and their families.

He said martyrdom was driven by patriotism, faith and a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice rather than by financial benefit.

Chaudhry called on the JUI-F chief to withdraw his statement and apologise to the nation and the families of soldiers killed in service.

Minister of State for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik also called the remarks irresponsible, regrettable and unacceptable.

He said such statements caused pain to the families of fallen soldiers and to Pakistanis who respected the sacrifices of the armed forces.

Malik said political disagreements should not be used to question the motives of personnel who had died protecting the country.

PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Ikhtiar Wali said it was incomprehensible to suggest that soldiers sacrificed their lives merely because they received salaries.

He said no financial payment could persuade a person to knowingly give up their life.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan urged political leaders to speak responsibly, saying the armed forces were a source of national pride.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said soldiers were making their families and the country proud by giving their lives for public safety.

She said measuring their sacrifices in financial terms was deeply painful and challenged critics to send their own family members to the borders in return for higher salaries.

PML-N lawmaker Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry said the sacrifices of military personnel reflected patriotism, faith, duty and selflessness.

Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson Sara Ahmed said the sacrifices of fallen soldiers could never be judged according to salaries or other material considerations.

She said the remarks were particularly distressing for the families of those killed in the line of duty.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said soldiers killed while defending Pakistan’s borders were benefactors of the nation and guarantors of its freedom.

He said questioning their service at a critical time was unfair to the country and its people.

Several political leaders demanded that Fazlur Rehman withdraw his remarks and apologise to the families of fallen soldiers.

Reporter: Ahmed Mansoor