Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held a telephone conversation with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss the prevailing political situation and consider options for reducing tensions between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration.
During the call, the prime minister congratulated Fazlur Rehman on completing Umrah and invited him to visit the Prime Minister’s House for a meeting. The JUI-F leader accepted the invitation, with the meeting between the two expected to take place soon.
A spokesperson for JUI-F said the discussion focused on the current political landscape, particularly efforts to address differences between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
The two leaders also considered possible steps to ease political tensions between the parties. Fazlur Rehman is expected to help promote dialogue as concerns increase over the possibility of federal action against the provincial government.
JUI spokesperson Aslam Ghouri stated that Fazlur Rehman was in regular communication with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. He further said that the JUI-F chief had briefed PTI leadership on the initiatives being pursued to ease political tensions.
Fazl discusses possible political strategy with party leaders
After receiving a telephone call from the prime minister, Fazlur Rehman began consultations with his party leadership in Islamabad. According to sources, he initiated discussions with party leaders to develop recommendations aimed at resolving the ongoing political impasse.
Sources said the proposals are being drafted in coordination with the JUI-F Core Committee. Fazlur Rehman was also expected to hold a meeting with the prime minister on Saturday, but the exact time had not yet been announced.
Sources added that Fazlur Rehman had cautioned against steps such as imposing Governor’s Rule or declaring a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PTI convenes core and central committee meetings
Meanwhile, the PTI’s Core and Central Committees held meetings at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar amid growing political tensions in the province.
According to sources, participants considered the possibility of holding negotiations with the federal government. Sources said some participants believed the federal government was not genuinely interested in resolving the issue through dialogue. However, they maintained that efforts to negotiate should still be pursued.
Sources also revealed that the meeting included discussions about the potential imposition of Governor’s Rule or the declaration of a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The prime minister’s telephone conversation with Fazlur Rehman, the JUI-F chief’s consultations with his party leadership, and his contacts with PTI leaders have taken place against the backdrop of ongoing friction between Islamabad and the provincial government.
