Ministers from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday lashed out at Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his remarks about security personnel, saying the sacrifices of martyrs could not be reduced to salaries or become the subject of political debate.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said there was no room for such political discourse.
"The entire nation is indebted to the brave martyrs who sacrifice their lives for the homeland," he wrote in a post on X, while paying tribute to the families of soldiers who, he said, bade farewell to their loved ones while praying for their martyrdom.
"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," he added.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also addressed Fazlur Rehman in a post on X, saying he had always respected the JUI-F chief and, with that sentiment, wished to make a few requests.
"Your recent statement has created the impression [ ] you have diminished the value and significance of the great sacrifices of our martyrs. This has not only hurt my feelings but those of millions of Pakistanis."
"Our military personnel and officers do not merely perform their professional duties; rather, they fulfil the duty of defending the homeland with their lives on the line all the time."
"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," Iqbal further said.
Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also appeared to respond to the controversy, though without directly naming Fazlur Rehman.
In a post on X, he wrote that the concept of martyrdom was beyond the understanding of "us worldly, salaried people".
Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Aun Chaudhry called on the JUI-F chief to apologise to the martyrs and the nation.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi also slammed the JUI-F chief, saying his remarks had hurt the sentiments of Pakistanis and undermined the sacrifices made by the country's martyrs.
He said he continued to respect Fazl, but added that the remarks had hurt the sentiments of the entire nation.
