Retired Military Officers Condemn Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Statement

On July 18, 2026, retired military officers in Multan strongly condemned Maulana Fazlur Rehman's statement regarding martyrs, emphasizing the high status of those who sacrificed their lives. Brigadier (Retired) Kaiser and other officers stated that they do not accept politicians or scholars who disrespect martyrs. They highlighted their own experiences in operations, carrying injured colleagues, and demanded that Maulana Fazlur Rehman apologize to the families of martyrs. Separately, discussions emerged suggesting Maulana Fazlur Rehman's remarks might have been a "slip of the tongue" made in passion, with calls for him to issue an apology.

PML-N leader and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah stated on Friday that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s controversial remarks about army martyrs were “inappropriate” but were unintended. Speaking on a Geo News programme, Sanaullah said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman always speaks in a balanced and measured manner, and his choice of words is usually very careful. He added that in his opinion, Maulana Fazlur Rehman did not intend to say what he said, but the words uttered about the martyrs were inappropriate and could not be endorsed.

The PML-N leader added that if Maulana Fazlur Rehman withdrew his remarks, it would be regarded as a statesmanlike gesture, but 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.” He warned that this could not be allowed, as it would be considered a direct attack on Pakistan’s defense, not just on GHQ but on Pakistan itself. He also rejected JUI-F’s claim that there was a propaganda campaign against Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his remarks, stating there was “no propaganda against him.” Sanaullah said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s remarks about army martyrs were “so damaging that they could cause demotivation” among those who guard the frontiers and sacrifice their lives. He endorsed the reactions from political and public circles against the JUI-F chief’s remarks, suggesting the reaction might have restored the trust of martyrs’ families.

Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa JUI-F Emir Maulana Attaur Rehman said on Friday that workers would not hesitate to march on Islamabad if the party ordered them to do so for the sake of democracy. He claimed that some quarters, unhappy with the party’s successful public meeting in Kasur on July 11, had taken half a sentence from the JUI-F chief’s speech and created a media storm.

Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch has issued a statement regarding Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Additionally, the JUI is reportedly protesting, and the government has issued a warning, with Rana Sanaullah involved in the matter. Samar Haroon Bilour has also stated that Maulana's remarks have hurt martyrs' families.

Retired soldiers have now reportedly broken their silence and reacted to the statement made by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman concerning martyrs and the Pakistan Army.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Government has responded to Maulana Fazlur Rehman's statement concerning martyrs and the Pakistan Army, with Shafiullah Jan also commenting on the matter.

Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi and Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, chairman of the Paigham-e-Pakistan Peace Committee, have urged JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to withdraw his recent remarks about Pakistan’s security forces. Addressing a joint press conference, Governor Hashmi emphasized that the sacrifices of the country’s martyrs and veterans must remain above political differences, stating that every soldier, police officer, and civilian who laid down their life deserved the nation’s highest respect. He added, "The death of a martyr is the life of the nation. We are proud of our martyrs and Ghazis."

Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi reiterated that Pakistan’s martyrs belong to the entire nation and warned that no one would be allowed to disrespect those who sacrificed their lives. He highlighted that over 8,000 religious scholars have laid down their lives for Pakistan and reaffirmed that the country’s Ulema stand shoulder to shoulder with the Armed Forces in defending the nation against terrorism and extremism. Ashrafi also stressed that Pakistan belongs equally to the followers of all sects and religions, and called for effective implementation of the Paigham-e-Pakistan platform to strengthen harmony and counter extremism.

Farooq Sattar has issued a statement concerning Maulana Fazlur Rehman's remarks. Separately, the MQM is seeking clarification from Maulana Fazlur Rehman regarding his controversial statement.

Barrister Aqeel Malik has called for Maulana Fazlur Rehman to retract his statement and issue an apology to the families of martyrs. Additionally, Bilawal Bhutto has responded to Maulana Fazlur Rehman's remarks concerning the Pakistan Army.