Khawaja Asif hits back at Fazl over Tehran huddle remarks

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday criticised Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his remarks about the defence minister’s absence from a recent meeting in Tehran, questioning the JUI-F chief’s own political record and past roles in government.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Asif recalled that Fazl had served in the Musharraf government, led the opposition in parliament and headed the parliamentary Kashmir Committee. He said someone responsible for raising issues at international forums should have an unblemished record.

Asif also referred to Fazl’s offer to mediate with Kabul, questioning the basis for his involvement in the matter. He alleged that the initiative was aimed at strengthening Fazl’s political position and gaining greater leverage with the government.

The defence minister accused the JUI-F chief of criticising the government’s diplomatic efforts despite his own history of political alliances. He said Fazl had held positions under different governments and enjoyed privileges over several decades while, in Asif’s view, departing from the principles he publicly advocated.

The exchange followed Fazl’s criticism of Asif for not attending a recent meeting in Tehran. During the proceedings, the JUI-F chief mocked the defence minister by repeating a phrase Asif had previously used against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Fazl also questioned why Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had attended the Tehran meeting.

Asif defended his absence, saying the discussions in Tehran did not concern Pakistan’s defence and were outside the defence ministry’s mandate. He said he had participated in two defence agreements signed by Pakistan — the Makkah defence pact and the Badr Memorandum of Understanding — but the Tehran meeting was a separate matter.

He said Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir had assumed a role focused on peace and dialogue after last year’s military conflict between Pakistan and India. According to Asif, Munir had travelled to Tehran to facilitate diplomatic engagement and help avert a confrontation. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei had also said that Munir proposed the Tehran meeting during his visit.

Asif said efforts were under way to prevent tensions from escalating over Yemen and expressed hope that developments in the coming days or week could lead to peace between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
He urged Fazl to put aside political differences and acknowledge Pakistan’s diplomatic role, arguing that the government’s international efforts had not received due recognition.