PM Shehbaz, Maulana Fazl discuss easing tensions between KP, federal govts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday telephoned Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and invited him to the Prime Minister’s House for a meeting.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Maulana Fazl accepted the invitation, and the meeting is expected to take place soon.

During the conversation, the two also discussed ways to ease tensions between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the statement said.

The development comes amid mounting tensions over the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s march on Islamabad, with party supporters already on the streets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since October 4 and preparing to move towards the federal capital after government-opposition talks ended in a stalemate last week over multiple issues, particularly counterterrorism policy.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led ruling coalition and opposition PTI have, in principle, agreed to accept the JUI-F chief as a mediator to help resolve their political differences, Business Recorder reported on Thursday citing sources.

Sources privy to the development told the publication that both the government and PTI have approached Maulana Fazl to play a mediating role. However, the JUI-F chief has set certain conditions before formally taking up the task.

Fazl has reportedly made it clear that he would intervene only after the parties reach an understanding on certain fundamental issues.

He urged both sides to acknowledge each other’s positions and make efforts to find common ground through political engagement.