Khawaja Asif declares Maulana Fazlur Rehman his ‘200% friend’

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reaffirmed his friendship with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying he considers the veteran politician a close friend and that their longstanding relationship remains intact despite political differences.

Reacting to Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s remarks about their friendship, Khawaja Asif said he considered him a friend “200 per cent” and described their relationship as mutual.

He said his association with the JUI-F chief went back many years, adding that political differences did not necessarily damage personal relationships.

“Maulana Fazlur Rehman is 200 per cent my friend. We are friends with each other,” Khawaja Asif said.

His comments came a day after Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the defence minister as a respected friend and brother while responding to their recent exchange of remarks.

The JUI-F chief said he had only been teasing Khawaja Asif, but the minister had reacted angrily the following day.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman also made a light-hearted remark, saying that a punch remembered too late should be directed at oneself.

The exchange has drawn attention because of the longstanding personal association between the two politicians, despite their differing political positions.