Captain Safdar and Mufti Kifayatullah at odds

MANSEHRA: A war of words has erupted between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and its former ally, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF), after Captain (r) Mohammad Safdar refused to offer a funeral prayer led by former MPA Mufti Kifayatullah.

“I am the descendant of custodians of shrines and did not offer the funeral prayer led by Mufti Kifayatullah as he is not a man of character,” Safdar told a gathering held in the Nakot area here on Tuesday.

The son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif added that Mufti Kifayatullah had refused to withdraw his nomination papers against Nawaz Sharif in the February 8, 2024, general elections for NA-15 (Mansehra-II).

“I approached Kifayatullah sahib and requested him to withdraw his nomination papers, but he refused. As a result, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate Shahzada Gustasab Khan benefited and won the seat,” Safdar recalled.

He added that the people of NA-15, from where both he and his elder brother Mohammad Sajjad were previously elected as MNAs, had missed an opportunity to bring prosperity and development to Mansehra and Torghar districts, as the current PTI MNA had not launched any significant development projects here.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and my wife Maryam Nawaz have given me a free hand to initiate development schemes in the constituency,” he said.

Meanwhile, JUIF leader Mufti Kifayatullah responded that his relationship with Safdar sahib had always been one of mutual respect, but tensions emerged after his father-in-law lost the election. “I am proud to have contested the election under the orders of my leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Whoever benefited or lost due to my participation doesn’t concern me or my party,” he said.

Mufti Kifayatullah advised Safdar to stay composed and avoid making emotional reactions and statements.