Multan, Pakistan: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has launched a strong criticism of the Punjab government’s recent decision to provide a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 to Imams (clerics), questioning the motives behind the move and accusing the authorities of attempting to undermine the independence of religious scholars.

Speaking at a Ulema Convention in Multan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Pakistan was established in the name of Islam, and its creation was made possible through the sacrifices of millions of Muslims from the subcontinent. He emphasized that the ruling elite now appears intent on eroding the very foundations of that Islamic identity.

“They say they want to pay Rs. 25,000 to clerics, to support the scholars. But I ask — in what capacity, and for what purpose? Do they intend to buy the conscience of our ulema? Are these payments a way to control the religious voice of the country?”

He accused the government of attempting to interfere in religious institutions and manipulate the clergy, adding that such policies threaten the autonomy of seminaries that have long served as centers of Islamic education and guidance.

Fazlur Rehman alleged that the state is deliberately targeting madrassas (religious schools) under the guise of reform, suggesting that these moves are part of a broader agenda to secularize the country’s religious framework. He said, “Madrasas have always played a vital role in preserving faith, culture, and values. Now, efforts are being made to silence them or bring them under state control.”

Criticizing the comparison drawn by officials between Pakistan and Gulf nations, he remarked:

“They say Saudi Arabia and the UAE provide state stipends to their clerics, so Pakistan should do the same. If they admire the Gulf systems so much, then they should also bring their entire governance system in line with Sharia, not selectively adopt policies to serve their own interests.”

The JUI-F chief further expressed outrage over reports that the government might place certain clerics under Fourth Schedule surveillance, a measure typically used to monitor individuals considered a security risk. Responding defiantly, Fazlur Rehman said:

“They threaten us with the Fourth Schedule — let it go to hell! Such intimidation will not silence the voice of truth. We have faced dictators, martial laws, and false propaganda before, yet our resolve remains firm.”

He accused the ruling class of hypocrisy, arguing that while they exploit religion for political gain, they simultaneously work to suppress genuine Islamic scholarship. “They want obedient clerics, not independent scholars. Their aim is not religious harmony, but control over the pulpit,” he added.