Naqvi, Asif respond to Fazl’s Tehran meeting jibe

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have rejected Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s criticism over Pakistan’s representation at a recent meeting in Tehran, clarifying that the gathering was focused on regional peace and crisis management rather than defence cooperation.

The ministers responded to Fazl’s remarks in the National Assembly and Senate on Thursday. The JUI-F chief had questioned why Asif remained in Islamabad while Naqvi attended the meeting involving officials from Iran and countries associated with the Makkah defence pact.

The Tehran meeting brought together Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials also attended.

The participants agreed to continue dialogue to strengthen regional cooperation, particularly on peace and security.

Responding to Fazl in the National Assembly, Asif maintained that no new defence pact was being negotiated in Tehran. He said the discussions did not fall within the Defence Ministry’s mandate, making his participation unnecessary.

The defence minister said Field Marshal Munir had taken on a diplomatic role after last year’s military conflict with India, working to promote dialogue and prevent further confrontation in the region.

Asif noted that Pakistan had signed two defence agreements, the Makkah defence pact and the Badr Memorandum of Understanding, in which he had been involved as defence minister.

He said Munir had helped establish the groundwork for the Tehran meeting and played a role in easing regional tensions. Asif also expressed hope that diplomatic efforts could help prevent further escalation over regional disputes involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

The minister urged Fazl to acknowledge Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts instead of criticising the government over the meeting. He also accused the JUI-F chief of inconsistency in his political positions and questioned his record in government and opposition.

Asif recalled Fazl’s past roles under different political administrations, including his tenure as chairman of the Kashmir Committee. He alleged that the JUI-F chief was using the issue to strengthen his political position and gain leverage with the government.

In the Senate, Naqvi said his visit to Tehran was undertaken on the prime minister’s instructions to address the ongoing regional crisis involving Iran.

Rejecting the impression that the meeting concerned a defence agreement, the interior minister said his presence had been specifically requested for matters related to the crisis.

The exchange between Naqvi and JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza grew heated, with both sides trading accusations. The presiding officer repeatedly intervened to restore order and directed lawmakers to avoid interruptions.

Naqvi criticised the JUI-F leadership over its previous statements about state institutions and accused the party of using religion for political and financial gains. He also alleged that JUI-F leaders had privately supported the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before publicly opposing the move.

The interior minister further warned that political criticism should not cross certain limits and said those making allegations must also be prepared to respond to counterarguments.

The dispute highlighted growing tensions between the government and the JUI-F leadership over Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives and the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Asif accused Fazl of undermining the government’s international efforts for political reasons. He said national security and constitutional principles should take precedence over partisan interests.

The defence minister also criticised what he described as attempts to secure political influence through compromises with those in power. He urged lawmakers to work collectively on national issues rather than engage in personal attacks.