Rana Sanaullah calls for 'ceasefire' with Fazl amid intensity of JUI chief's criticism

Says terrorism threatens Pakistan’s existence, urges Maulana Fazl to set aside differences and support military

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday called for a "ceasefire" between the government and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying that he should not, under any circumstances, stand on the other side in the war against terrorism.

Tensions between the JUI-F chief and the federal government have escalated sharply over constitutional disputes, security policies in K-P and new accountability inquiries targeting his inner circle.

Speaking on a private television programme, Capital Talk, Sanaullah acknowledged Maulana Fazl’s efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and said the JUI-F chief should not, under any circumstances, stand on the other side in this war.

“If, for some reason, Maulana stands on the other side, I believe it would be a loss for the country,” he said.

Sanaullah said he would discuss the matter with the prime minister and would also speak to Maulana Fazl, emphasising the need for a ceasefire between the two sides.

“Both sides have to make an effort. There should be a ceasefire in this matter,” he said.

Sanaullah expressed concern over the JUI-F chief’s recent speeches, saying he appeared to be attributing the mistakes and undemocratic actions of successive establishments over several decades to the current military leadership.

He said there was a need to engage Maulana Fazl in a dialogue and explain why such criticism was inappropriate.

“Maulana should be told that this kind of dialogue is not appropriate. The incumbent army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has not only removed the liabilities accumulated by the army over 78 years but has also brought honour to the armed forces, the nation and Pakistan through Marka-e-Haq,” he said.

Asked about reports that efforts were being made to distance the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Maulana Fazl, Sanaullah questioned why the JUI-F chief should not be brought closer to the government. "Isn’t that much more appropriate?"

He stressed that all political differences should be set aside in the fight against terrorism, which he described as a threat to Pakistan’s existence.

Sanaullah added that, given Maulana Fazl’s standing and influence in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, he should support the armed forces in their fight against terrorism.

Following the imposition of the emergency and governor's rule in K-P, Fazl accused the government of backing out of negotiations with the PTI and the opposition despite initially agreeing to their demands.

He categorically rejected the imposition of governor's rule or an emergency in K-P, saying that if an emergency had to be imposed, it should be imposed on the federal government, which he described as illegitimate.

The criticism subsequently spilt over into the assembly, escalating the war of words between the government and the JUI-F chief. Fazl had accused the government of misusing the Constitution.

Federal ministers hit back, accusing the JUI-F chief of overlooking his own role in forming and toppling governments.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi criticised Fazl over his opposition to governor's rule in the province, suggesting that the religious-political leader was unhappy at not being offered a role in the new provincial setup.

Later, a delegation of the PTI and TTAP expressed full support for the JUI-F chief's speech in the National Assembly and condemned what it described as his character assassination by government ministers following his strong criticism of the government's actions.