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CNN-News18 has accessed remarks by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in which he invokes the Kargil War to challenge Pakistan Army leadership and its anti-terror narrative.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticises the Pakistan Army’s handling of the Kargil War and its counter-terror strategy during a recent media interaction. (IMAGE: AFP FILE)
A rare public war of words has broken out between Pakistan’s powerful military establishment and one of the country’s most influential religio-political leaders, with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman questioning the army’s handling of the 1999 Kargil conflict and challenging its authority to lecture political leaders on patriotism, politics and the fight against terrorism.
Speaking in a recent media interaction accessed by CNN-News18, Rehman said he did not need military generals to explain the Pakistan Army or the sacrifices made for the country, describing them as “novices” in comparison to seasoned political leaders.
“At this age, should someone explain to me what the army is? What the homeland is, what sacrifices for its defence and protection are? Are novices going to explain these things to me?” he said.
The remarks come amid an escalating exchange between Rehman and Pakistan’s military establishment after the cleric’s recent comments on martyrs drew criticism from the army.
Kargil Remark Reopens Old Wounds
In one of his sharpest attacks on Pakistan’s military leadership, Rehman invoked the Kargil war – where India emerged victorious and defeated the Pakistani army – accusing the army of abandoning its soldiers during the 1999 war.
Referring to the conflict, the JUI-F chief questioned who had left Pakistani soldiers in Kargil to be buried by India, reviving one of the most politically sensitive episodes in Pakistan’s civil-military history.
The remarks are significant as criticism of the Pakistan Army from mainstream political and religious leaders has historically been rare, particularly on issues linked to national security and the military’s conduct during past conflicts.
According to top intelligence sources, Rehman’s remarks reflect growing frustration within sections of Pakistan’s religio-political leadership over the military’s dominance in political affairs. The JUI-F chief argued that the party’s long-standing opposition to armed politics and the sacrifices made by its workers gave it the credibility to question the army’s policies, including its counter-terrorism strategy.
The latest remarks mark one of the strongest public challenges to Pakistan’s military establishment by a senior religious leader in recent months, adding to the increasingly visible strains in the country’s civil-military discourse.
‘Public Is Questioning Army’s Strategy’
Rejecting accusations that he had disrespected martyrs, Rehman said his remarks had been taken out of context and that the controversy had been manufactured.
“Whatever happened for 48 hours, there was nothing. Routine political discourse was ongoing as usual. Then suddenly they picked one sentence from my hour-long statement and created a tempest in a teacup. This is done out of spite,” he said.
“There is no aspect of disrespect towards the martyrs in it, God forbid that we would even think of such things.”
He also challenged the military’s narrative on counter-terrorism, saying Pakistanis themselves were increasingly questioning the army’s security policies.
“If the army claims they are fighting terrorism, then go among the public. Questions are being raised there about their policies and strategy.”
‘Gun Politics Is Un-Islamic’
Defending his party’s record, Rehman said JUI-F had consistently opposed armed politics and had repeatedly declared the use of weapons in politics to be against Islamic principles.
“Did we not keep our workers away from weapons? Did we not keep our nation away from arms? Have we not declared gun politics as un-Islamic?”
He said there was broad consensus among Islamic scholars across Pakistan—including those associated with Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia Pakistan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam—against armed political movements.
Rehman also said his own party had paid a heavy price in terrorist violence.
“Over the last four to five years, around 200 to 250 members, workers and senior scholars of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam itself have been martyred. Yet you accuse us of disrespecting martyrs?”
‘Who Are They To Teach Us Politics?’
Rehman made it clear that neither he nor his party intended to back down in the face of criticism from the military establishment.
“When issues are raised, they will be addressed. We have neither accepted their accusations nor shown any weakness in the face of them.”
He then delivered his strongest rebuke.
“Who are they to teach us politics, teach us love for the homeland, or teach us the value and respect of martyrs? Are these people going to teach us?”
About the Author
Group Editor, Investigations and Security Affairs, Network18
Islamabad, Pakistan
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