Hanif Abbasi urges Fazlur Rehman to clarify remarks on soldiers, says martyrs’ families deserve respect

ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Tuesday urged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to clarify remarks concerning the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, saying the comments had deeply hurt the families of martyrs, wounded soldiers and caused anguish across the country.

Addressing a press conference, the minister paid tribute to the officers and Jawans of the armed forces who lost their lives while defending the country and combating terrorism, arguing that their sacrifices could not be equated with salaries or financial benefits.

Abbasi said every martyr left behind grieving parents, widows and young children whose sacrifices should never be diminished.

Referring to photographs of several martyred officers displayed during the press conference, he said many had embraced martyrdom at a young age, leaving behind families and children who would grow up without their fathers.

He said the pain endured by the families of martyrs should be understood before making public comments about military service, adding that no amount of financial compensation could replace the loss suffered by those families.

The minister said he had grown up respecting Pakistan’s armed forces and continued to take pride in their role in defending the country.

He said the armed forces had earned national and international recognition through their professionalism and sacrifices.

Referring to Pakistan’s recent security achievements, Abbasi said the country’s successes were made possible through the sacrifices of martyrs and veterans rather than financial incentives.

He rejected any suggestion that soldiers fought merely because they received salaries, saying many young Pakistanis aspired to join the armed forces despite knowing the risks associated with military service.

Abbasi said the armed forces represented every province and region of Pakistan, including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Mentioning a number of martyred officers from different parts of the country, he said their sacrifices demonstrated that the military belonged to the entire nation rather than any particular province or ethnic group.

He said thousands of soldiers had laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism and many others had been injured or permanently disabled while performing their duties.

According to the minister, Pakistan’s armed forces had rendered more than 12,000 martyrs over the past several decades, while thousands of other personnel had sustained life-changing injuries.

The minister maintained that Pakistan’s peace, security and constitutional order had been preserved through these sacrifices, saying members of the armed forces remained deployed daily against terrorist threats.

Abbasi said Pakistan continued to face security challenges, stating that hostile external elements, including India and elements operating from Afghanistan, were supporting terrorism against Pakistan.

He further said that terrorist groups operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were receiving external backing.

He also referred to recent incidents of terrorism, including attacks in Balochistan in which labourers lost their lives, and said such incidents required national unity and unequivocal condemnation.

Calling for a united national response, Abbasi said all political parties, religious leaders and citizens should stand together against terrorism rather than adopt narratives that weakened the morale of the country’s defenders.

Commenting on Maulana Fazlur Rehman remarks, the minister said he continued to hold the JUI-F chief in high regard and had always respected religious scholars.

He said he had no intention of launching a personal attack and believed the remarks under discussion might have resulted from an inappropriate choice of words or have been made in an emotional moment.

Nevertheless, he maintained that the comments had hurt the feelings of martyrs’ families, veterans and the wider public.

Abbasi said there would be no harm if the remarks were clarified or withdrawn, adding that doing so would demonstrate respect for the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces and send a positive message of national unity.

He stressed that differences in political opinion should not lead to statements that could be interpreted as undermining the sacrifices of soldiers engaged in defending the country.

The minister also appealed to religious scholars to use their influence to strengthen national cohesion, saying their voices carried significant weight across society and could help unite people during difficult times.

He said Pakistan had successfully resisted attempts to create divisions on the basis of sectarianism, ethnicity and provincial identity, and urged the nation not to allow such divisions to weaken the country’s unity.

Abbasi warned against efforts by hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan through proxy warfare, terrorism and disinformation campaigns, saying the country’s adversaries sought to create internal discord after failing to achieve their objectives through conventional means.

He argued that maintaining confidence in state institutions, particularly the armed forces, was essential for Pakistan’s stability and security.

Responding to reporters, the minister reiterated that his criticism was confined solely to the remarks attributed to Maulana Fazlur Rehman and did not extend to his person or stature as a political and religious leader.

He again said he believed the issue related to the choice of words rather than intent, adding that everyone could make mistakes while speaking emotionally and that such matters could be resolved through clarification.

Asked whether an apology would be appropriate, Abbasi said there would be nothing wrong if remarks that had hurt the families of martyrs were withdrawn or apologised for, adding that such a step would honour the sacrifices of those who had laid down their lives for Pakistan.

He rejected suggestions that his remarks were intended to create political confrontation, saying his purpose was to express solidarity with the families of martyrs and veterans.

The minister further said Pakistan’s security personnel constituted the first line of defence against terrorism and continued to sacrifice their lives so that citizens could live in peace.

He said weakening public confidence in the armed forces would only benefit terrorists and Pakistan’s adversaries.

Abbasi also referred to the historical role played by Kashmiri leaders in supporting Pakistan and reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position on Jammu and Kashmir, saying the country remained committed to the cause of the Kashmiri people.

Drawing comparisons with countries affected by prolonged conflict, he cautioned Pakistani youth against supporting narratives that could destabilise the country, saying peace and stability should remain national priorities.

Concluding the press conference, the minister paid tribute to all martyrs, veterans and their families, saying the nation owed them an enduring debt of gratitude.

He said the sacrifices made by members of Pakistan’s armed forces could never be measured in monetary terms and called upon all sections of society to honour their service, maintain national unity and collectively reject terrorism and extremism.