Sana urges Fazl to end confrontation

PM’s aide reaches out to JUI-F chief amid tensions

Sensing the possibility of a broader opposition alliance under JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday urged him to end his confrontational approach towards the establishment and align with the government in the fight against terrorism.

Sanaullah called for a “ceasefire” between the government and the JUI-F chief, saying Fazl should not, under any circumstances, find himself on the opposite side in the fight against terrorism. Tensions between the JUI-F chief and the federal government have escalated over constitutional disputes, security policies in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and recent accountability inquiries targeting members of his inner circle.

Speaking on a private television programme, Sanaullah acknowledged Fazl’s contributions and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, warning that his opposition would be detrimental to the country. “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 reach out to Fazl, stressing that both sides needed to make efforts to de-escalate tensions.

“Both sides have to make an effort. There should be a ceasefire in this matter,” he said. He also expressed concern over Fazl’s recent speeches, saying the JUI-F chief appeared to be attributing decades of mistakes and undemocratic actions by successive military establishments to the incumbent military leadership. Sanaullah said Fazl should be engaged in dialogue to 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 of efforts to distance the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Fazl, Sanaullah questioned why the JUI-F chief should not instead be brought closer to the government. “Isn’t that much more appropriate?” he asked. He urged political parties to set aside their differences in the fight against terrorism, which he described as a threat to Pakistan’s existence.

Given Fazl’s political standing and influence in KhyberPakhtunkhwa, Sanaullah said, he should support the armed forces in their counterterrorism efforts. Fazl has recently intensified his criticism of the federal government following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He accused the government of reneging on its commitment to negotiate with the PTI and the opposition after initially agreeing to their demands. He categorically rejected the imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in the province, saying that if emergency rule was necessary, it should instead be imposed on the federal government, which he described as illegitimate. His criticism also triggered a war of words in the National Assembly, where Fazl accused the government of misusing the Constitution.