Fazl didn't set conditions for mediation

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has rejected reports that its chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, set conditions during a meeting with a government delegation or that the party had contacted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to discuss mediation efforts.

JUI-F leader Maulana MuhammadAmjad Khan told The Express Tribune that claims Fazlur Rehman had set conditions were absurd, questioning how someone approached to mediate could impose conditions on either side. A mediator's role, he said, was to hear grievances, suggest solutions and communicate limitations.

Amjad said the government wanted the JUI-F to play a mediating role and had approached the party to bring Fazlur Rehman into the process. He declined to confirm or deny reports of mediation but said the government recognised Fazlur Rehman's relevance to resolving the political impasse.

Asked whether Fazlur Rehman or the JUI-F had contacted PTI leadership to inform it of the proposed mediation, Amjad said no such contact had been made. He added that communication between the two sides took place several times a day.

Amjad said Fazlur Rehman wanted the standoff between PTI and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led government resolved as soon as possible, warning that further political turmoil could damage an already struggling economy.

The government believes Maulana Fazl could help resolve the crisis because of his existing contacts with PTI and the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), Amjad said. He identified challenges on both sides, including the need for approval from the government's "high-ups" and divisions within PTI.

On a proposed all-parties conference (APC), Amjad said the meeting could be held only after the parties reached a broader consensus. If the PML-N wanted to attend, he said, PTI should invite it.

TTAP spokesperson Akhundzada Hussain on Wednesday dismissed reports that Fazlur Rehman was emerging as a mediator, alleging that the government and pro-government media had promoted the narrative.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Thursday, Hussain said the PTI and TTAP had met Fazlur Rehman to discuss the proposed APC and its agenda, including the outcome of previous engagements. PTI had not asked him to approach the government on its behalf, he said.

Neither Fazlur Rehman nor anyone representing him had communicated any mediation initiative to PTI or TTAP by late Thursday, Hussain added.

PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Junaid Akbar and Asad Qaiser had also denied being approached by Fazlur Rehman or holding an internal meeting on the matter.