ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has criticized remarks made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying it is unfair to associate the sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers with their salaries.
In a statement, Khawaja Asif said Maulana Fazlur Rehman is an experienced politician and a respected religious leader, and therefore greater care is expected from him in the choice of words when discussing sensitive national issues.
The defence minister argued that linking the sacrifices made by military personnel in the line of duty to financial compensation was inappropriate and hurtful to the families of those who had lost their lives.
“It is unfair to connect the sacrifices of soldiers for their homeland with their salaries. Such remarks cause pain to the families of the martyrs,” Khawaja Asif said.
He added that no individual sacrifices his life merely for a salary, stressing that those who lay down their lives in service do so because of their commitment to an ideal, their faith, their sense of duty, or their deep attachment to the country.
According to the minister, the willingness of soldiers to risk their lives reflects values that go far beyond financial reward, including patriotism, responsibility, and dedication to national service.
His comments came in response to a statement by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, although the minister’s remarks focused on rejecting the characterization of military sacrifices as being driven by salary rather than by duty and commitment.
The exchange highlights the political debate surrounding public statements on the role and sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, with the defence minister emphasizing the need for careful language when addressing matters related to soldiers and the families of those killed in the line of duty.
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