Islamabad, October 29,2026: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed in the Senate on Wednesday that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leaders had previously approached the government seeking the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, triggering protests from the party’s lawmakers.
Addressing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senators during a heated session, Naqvi said JUI-F leaders had earlier urged the government to impose governor’s rule in the province.
“Barrister Ali Zafar sahib is sitting here. These [JUI-F leaders] are the same people who used to come to us before governor’s rule and say, ‘Impose governor’s rule and rid us of them’,” he said.
His remarks prompted protests from JUI-F lawmakers, including Senator Kamran Murtaza. The chair repeatedly intervened, urging members to avoid cross-talk and allow the interior minister to complete his statement.
Naqvi’s comments came in response to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s criticism a day earlier, including his questions about the purpose of the interior minister’s visit to Iran.
Rejecting the suggestion that Pakistani officials had travelled to Iran to negotiate a defence agreement, Naqvi said the visit was aimed at addressing the ongoing regional crisis.
“This was completely not a defence agreement,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had assigned him specific responsibilities relating to the crisis.
“I do not go out of enthusiasm. The prime minister has tasked me with the current crisis of this war and entrusted certain things to me, which is why I go,” he said.
Naqvi said he had previously held Fazlur Rehman in personal regard but accused the JUI-F chief of making remarks that undermined mutual respect.
“Some things do not befit a politician,” he said.
The interior minister also accused JUI-F leaders of using religion for political and personal gain.
“They have used Islam for politics, they have used Islam for business,” he said, alleging that the party invoked religion when it served its interests.
Naqvi further accused JUI-F leaders of benefiting from the state when it suited them but turning against it when they were denied a share in power.
“For them, the state is a mother until the day they can squeeze the state,” he said, adding that they considered the state favourable as long as they continued to receive benefits.
“When they do not get a share in the government, then [they] spit on the state,” he added.
Warning that he would respond to further criticism, Naqvi said a line had repeatedly been crossed.
“If they do it, they will get an answer,” he said, as JUI-F lawmakers continued protesting his remarks.
