PML-N leader and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Friday said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s controversial remarks about army martyrs were “inappropriate”, but were unintended.
Speaking to the media, Sanaullah said, “He (Fazl) always speaks in a balanced and measured manner, and his choice of words is usually very careful… In my opinion, he did not intend to say what he said.” “The words uttered about the martyrs were inappropriate – this cannot be endorsed,” he said.
The PML-N leader added that if Fazl withdrew his remarks, it would be regarded as a statesmanlike gesture; however, he had “taken a different position”.
Responding to a question about Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) warning to stage a protest outside the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Sanaullah said that this would also be “inappropriate”.
“This cannot be allowed. This will be considered a direct attack on Pakistan’s defence. It would not be an attack on GHQ; it would be an attack on Pakistan,” the ruling party leader said. He also rejected JUI-F’s claim that there was a propaganda campaign against Fazl over his remarks, saying there was “no propaganda against him”.
Sanaullah stated that Fazl’s remarks about army martyrs were “so damaging that they could cause demotivation”.
“People who guard the frontiers and sacrifice their lives cannot do so without motivation. No one can sacrifice their life for a salary or money.” He also endorsed the reactions from political and public circles against the JUI-F chief’s remarks. “The reaction was necessary; it might have restored the trust of the families of the martyrs.”