Khalid Maqbool, Farooq Sattar say leaders should not undermine country’s image, exercise responsibility in statements
MQM-P leaders address a press conference in Karachi. SCREEN GRAB
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders on Thursday urged political figures to avoid making statements that could be used by Pakistan’s opponents, saying political leaders had a responsibility to protect the country’s image and institutions.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said experienced political leaders should ensure that their remarks were not exploited by the media in countries hostile to Pakistan.
“Is there any statement we could make that the media in a country hostile to Pakistan will highlight? Is there any statement we could make that would make our opponents happy?” Siddiqui said. “If not, then I don’t think any experienced, responsible political figure or national leader would make such a mistake.”
Siddiqui said political leaders should ensure that if their statements reached international media, they reflected positively on Pakistan rather than being associated with criticism of the state or its institutions.
“If our statements reach the international media, they should promote the good name of the country. They should not be associated with criticism of the state, the country or the institutions that protect it,” he said.
Referring to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Siddiqui said he hoped the veteran politician would clarify his remarks if, in his opinion, the choice of words had enabled Pakistan’s opponents to take advantage.
“I am sure such an experienced and responsible political figure understands when his statements become the focus of the media in a country hostile to Pakistan,” he said.
The remarks were made by the JUI-F chief during a recent public gathering where his comments about the armed forces and the country’s martyrs drew criticism from political leaders and other quarters.
Read also: Sharjeel Memon urges Fazlur Rehman to retract remarks about armed forces and martyrs
Siddiqui also praised Pakistan’s military leadership, saying it had protected both Pakistan and the wider region during recent tensions.
“It is the leadership of Pakistan’s armed forces that has not only protected Pakistan but also contributed to the security of the wider region,” he said. “We should protect that respect and dignity, not undermine it.”
He added that safeguarding Pakistan’s political status was the responsibility of political leaders, saying, “Our armed forces are fully capable of defending Pakistan’s borders and the world recognizes that. Protecting Pakistan’s political status is our responsibility and we must fulfill it with utmost responsibility.”
Siddiqui said the MQM-P would continue to stand by Pakistan. “Our slogan is that this country was created and we will protect its sanctity, dignity and existence,” he said.
Speaking at the same press conference, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar said Pakistan’s international standing had improved and described the statement he referred to as “incomprehensible, unacceptable and intolerable”.
Sattar said international powers had shown confidence in Pakistan’s defense capabilities, diplomatic role and peace efforts under the country’s leadership. “I think the international community has shown confidence in Pakistan. Now we have to earn the confidence of the international investors as well,” he said.
He added that Pakistan’s economy was showing signs of recovery and investor confidence was increasing. “The strength of Pakistan’s economy and the prospects for its recovery have become increasingly evident. The confidence of international investors is growing,” Sattar said.
Sattar said the recent statement had hurt people across Pakistan. “At such a critical time, the statement that has been made is incomprehensible, unacceptable and intolerable… it has hurt the sentiments of 250 million people,” he said.
Read more: Fazl in hot water as pleas reach Punjab courts over remarks on martyrs
The remarks have sparked a growing political backlash, with senior government leaders accusing the JUI-F chief of belittling the casualties of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Punjab Chairman Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan publicly condemned the comments and demanded that Fazl apologize to the nation, saying no one should be allowed to undermine the sacrifices of the country’s martyrs.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif described the remarks as “morally insensitive” and said soldiers did not give their lives just for a salary but continued to fight terrorism at the cost of their own lives. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the sacrifices of the country’s martyrs were beyond political debate.
Meanwhile, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said reducing their victim to financial compensation was “neither fair nor consistent with ethics or Islamic teachings”. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and Overseas Pakistanis Minister Aun Chaudhry also called on the JUI-F chief to retract his remarks and apologise.
Meanwhile, petitions seeking criminal proceedings against Fazl have been filed in district courts across Punjab, with courts in Lahore and other districts seeking responses from relevant authorities in the case.
