Fazl advises PM Shehbaz against emergency or Governor’s Rule in KP

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In call with PM, Maulana warns such a move could politically damage ruling parties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss the deadlock in negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the party’s planned long march.

According to sources, the conversation took place after a consultative meeting held on Wednesday night. During the call, Fazlur Rehman advised the prime minister against imposing emergency or Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), saying such a move could cause political damage to the ruling parties.

Sources said Fazlur Rehman expressed his willingness to play a role in resolving the political impasse through mutual understanding. He also suggested that the federal government and PTI give negotiations another chance to improve the situation.

The JUI-F chief assured the prime minister that he would play a significant role in reducing political tensions. He is expected to continue back-channel contacts with both sides for the time being in an effort to facilitate dialogue.

During the conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Fazlur Rehman’s political insight and his decision to stay away from the protest movement.

The prime minister said the federal government had made robust and sincere efforts to resolve outstanding issues through negotiations. However, he maintained that the talks failed because the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government refused to cooperate with the federal government on counter-terrorism measures.

Also Read: Achakzai halts opposition talks with govt until meeting with Imran Khan

Shehbaz Sharif stressed that there could be no compromise in the war against terrorism and that negligence in this regard was unacceptable.

The prime minister reiterated the federal government’s willingness to pursue negotiations but made it clear that an assault on Islamabad would be unacceptable under any circumstances.

He called on PTI to end its long march and return to the negotiating table, adding that the government’s offer for talks remained on the table.

According to sources, PM Shehbaz emphasised that thenPTI needed to understand that a long march and negotiations could not proceed simultaneously.

The prime minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to steer the national economy out of difficult circumstances, saying the government wanted to achieve economic, political and internal stability.

On Thursday, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai directed the opposition leaders to halt talks with the government until a meeting was held with PTI founder Imran Khan.

According to sources, Achakzai spoke on the phone with Raja Nasir Abbas, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Asad Qaiser. He told the opposition leaders to stand by their demand for a meeting with Imran Khan before any further negotiations.

Achakzai said no option other than the condition of meeting Imran Khan should be accepted for the talks. The opposition has been told not to move ahead with negotiations until the meeting takes place.

Also Read: PTI, govt agree on Fazl as mediator; Maulana sets conditions

Moreover, amid a deadlock between the government and the PTI, both sides had expressed their willingness to have Maulana Fazlur Rehman mediate between them, according to sources.

The government and opposition approached Fazlur Rehman to play a mediating role, with the JUI-F chief informing both sides that he has set five conditions before deciding whether to formally step in.

According to sources, Fazlur Rehman told both the government and opposition that he would first assess how serious they were about resolving the political dispute before accepting the role of mediator. He would review the responses of both sides and then decide whether he was willing to formally undertake the mediation process.

Sources said Fazlur Rehman also made it clear that he would step in once the parties reached agreement on fundamental issues. He had conveyed to the parties that a way forward could still be found through sincere efforts and political engagement.

Fazlur Rehman advised the government and opposition to acknowledge each other’s positions if they wanted to find common ground. He maintained that a middle ground could emerge when both sides were prepared to recognize each other’s stance and make efforts toward a political settlement.

The JUI-F chief also stressed the importance of political dialogue and moderation amid the continuing standoff.

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