JUI-F seeks assurances before alliance with PTI

Efforts to forge a grand opposition alliance against the PML-N-led coalition government remain stalled as JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has yet to receive some guarantees he seeks from the PTI, it emerged on Sunday.

Key PTI leaders while admitting that the JUI-F chief has yet to fully commit to an opposition alliance with the PTI as he seeks clarity on the party's chain of command in decision-making as well as who will lead the multi-party opposition alliance if it starts protests against the government.

With PTI founder Imran Khan in jail, the Maulana has asked Imran's party to specify whether Khan himself will take decisions or if a designated representative will hold full authority.

However, a senior PTI leader while requesting anonymity said the PTI's inability to access Khan has stalled the progress, leaving key questions unanswered and delaying the formation of a united anti-government front.

The PTI and the JUI-F have long explored an alliance against the ruling PML-N-led coalition but negotiations have failed to move beyond a certain point due to the Maulana's reservations.

The JUI-F chief, who previously led an opposition alliance that ousted the Imran Khan government from power through a no-confidence motion, remains unconvinced about the PTI's internal decision-making structure.

Knowing that the JUI-F and the PTI combo could create difficulties for the PML-N government, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his key ministers frequently visit the Maulana and in an attempt to keep him on the government's side.

Though the Maualan's party sits on opposition benches, the government managed to win Fazl's support for the recently-passed 26th constitutional amendment.

A senior PTI leader acknowledged the Maulana's political influence and street power while also admitting that their inability to consult Khan has slowed discussions.

He revealed that 70 percent of the issues between the two parties have been settled, with the remaining hurdles tied to the PTI's restricted access to its jailed leader and his consent.

He added that once access is granted and a decision is finalized, the opposition alliance could be as effective as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was against the former PTI government.

He, however, reiterated that Fazl has insisted on a firm guarantee regarding the PTI's leadership, demanding a clear answer on whether he would be dealing directly with Khan or someone fully authorized to make binding decisions.

"The Maulana wants absolute clarity on who will take decisions when needed," the PTI leader said.

"If it is Khan, then how will things proceed if he remains inaccessible? If it is someone else, then he must have a full mandate." He said the Maulana does not mind if Khan constitutes an empowered committee just like he did when the PTI held talks with the government.

When asked about the alliance's broader objectives, another PTI leader outlined key goals, including ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, release of political prisoners, snap polls and an end to what the party calls a government crackdown on dissent.

He stressed that the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan need urgent attention and that all stakeholders must reassess the situation before it is too late.

Expressing concerns about Pakistan's political landscape, he said democracy had been undermined, with both the Constitution and parliament losing significance. He blamed the ongoing instability on "rigged elections" and reiterated that fresh, free and fair polls are the only solution.

Regarding the opposition's recent multi-party conference, he noted that the PTI's participation had helped it to further come out of its political isolation.

He too admitted that the biggest obstacle slowing down opposition's momentum was the government's refusal to grant the PTI easy access to Khan. "Things will only move forward once Khan gives the go-ahead," he said.

While the Maulana could continue his solo political campaign, he said, the most effective course of action would be to fully join forces with the broader opposition, given the worsening political and economic situation. "No time should be wasted anymore," he concluded.