Shafi Jan Defends Fazlur Rehman’s Patriotism Amid Criticism

PESHAWAR — Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan stated on Wednesday that while Maulana Fazlur Rehman of JUI‑F ought not to have made the controversial remark, his patriotism remains beyond doubt.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Adnan Qadri, Jan emphasized that the nation’s martyrs are a source of pride and belong to all citizens.

He added that a consensus bill concerning religious seminaries is set to be introduced in the provincial assembly for approval soon.

In a statement released from his office, the minister echoed Fazlur Rehman’s criticism of parliament, describing it as a rubber‑stamp body and asserting that the PPP and PML‑N are essentially two sides of the same coin.

Jan urged that the series of news conferences targeting the JUI‑F leader should now come to an end.

He identified law and order as the province’s foremost challenge, noting that all available resources are being deployed to safeguard lives and property.

The minister disclosed that the police budget has been raised to Rs191 billion, and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has sanctioned an additional Rs31 billion special package aimed at bolstering the counter‑terrorism unit and police forces, approved during the chief minister’s first cabinet meeting.

Criticising political rivals, Jan pointed out that public discourse has been fixated on the blue‑passport controversy while overlooking the Punjab government’s purchase of an aircraft valued at Rs11 billion.

He reminded that August 5 will mark three years since the detention of PTI founder Imran Khan.

Jan said the party’s parliamentary caucus has agreed on a robust protest strategy to commemorate the date, with preparations for a province‑wide demonstration underway and the leadership poised to announce the timetable shortly.

He further stated that Imran Khan has been deprived of basic legal rights, held in solitary confinement for the past seven months, and denied access to his personal physician, phone calls with his sons, and sufficient meetings with his legal counsel.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2026

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