'Diminished martyrs' sacrifices': Ministers rebuke Fazl over 'insensitive' remarks about military personnel

Several Pakistani ministers have strongly criticized Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his recent remarks that appeared to diminish the sacrifices of military personnel.

During a party rally in Kasur, Punjab, Fazlur Rehman commented on the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He stated that soldiers' martyrdom is often cited, adding that personnel receive salaries for fighting for the country. This statement drew immediate condemnation from government ministers.

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Linking the sacrifice of military personnel for the homeland to their salary is not only unfair but tantamount to hurting the sentiments of the martyrs and their families. No one sacrifices their life merely for a salary; there is an ideology, a belief, a duty, and a deep association with the homeland behind it.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed deep disappointment, calling Fazlur Rehman's words "unfair." Asif emphasized that linking the sacrifice of military personnel to their salaries is not only unjust but also deeply hurtful to the sentiments of martyrs and their families. He asserted that individuals sacrifice their lives due to ideology, belief, duty, and a profound connection to their homeland, not merely for financial compensation.

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The entire nation is indebted to the brave martyrs who sacrifice their lives for the homeland. Such courageous and valiant sons are the nation’s asset. There is no room for political discourse over their sacrifices, as their worth cannot be measured.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar echoed these sentiments on X, stating that the entire nation is indebted to the martyrs who sacrifice their lives for the homeland. He saluted the soldiers' families and described these courageous individuals as the nation's asset, emphasizing that their sacrifices cannot be measured or subjected to political discourse.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also posted on X, expressing his respect for Fazlur Rehman while requesting him to reconsider his statement. Iqbal noted that the remarks created an impression of diminishing the value of martyrs' sacrifices, which hurt his feelings and those of millions of Pakistanis. He stressed that military personnel defend the homeland with their lives on the line, and describing such unparalleled sacrifice as mere compensation for a salary is ethically and religiously unacceptable, violating Islamic teachings. Iqbal concluded that the nation owes an unpayable debt to the martyrs and has a national, political, moral, and religious responsibility to honor their memory and keep it above politics.

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To describe such an unparalleled sacrifice as merely a compensation for a salary is neither fair, nor in accordance with the demands of ethics, and nor aligned with Islamic teachings.