ISLAMABAD: The PML-N-led ruling coalition and opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have, in principle, agreed to accept Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as a mediator to help resolve their political differences, sources said on Thursday.
The development comes amid mounting tensions over the PTI’s march on Islamabad, with party supporters already on the streets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since October 4 and preparing to move towards the capital after government-opposition talks ended in a stalemate last week.
Sources privy to the development told Business Recorder that both the government and PTI have approached Maulana Rehman to play a mediating role. However, the JUI-F chief has set certain conditions before formally taking up the task.
According to the sources, Rehman has told both sides that he would first assess their seriousness about resolving the dispute. He would consider their responses before deciding whether to formally enter the mediation process.
He has also 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.
The latest contacts took place over the past three days, with senior opposition leaders visiting the JUI-F chief’s residence, followed by a visit from National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
The contacts came after government-opposition negotiations failed to resolve differences over the PTI’s planned march.
The talks, held in the National Assembly speaker’s chamber, were aimed at defusing tensions but ended without agreement on key issues, including access to PTI founder Imran Khan and other matters related to the protest.
Maulana Rehman was not part of those negotiations but has consistently advocated political dialogue and broader consultation to resolve political differences.
On October 7, he met opposition representatives and backed wider political consultations, including an all-parties conference (APC), to discuss the prevailing political situation and tensions surrounding the PTI march.
The JUI-F chief has also maintained that peaceful marches and protests are democratic rights of political parties and individuals.
He has warned the government against using force to stop the PTI march, saying such a move could prove counterproductive.
Meanwhile, the government’s negotiating committee has submitted a report to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on its meeting with Maulana Rehman.
According to sources, the report said the JUI-F chief had conditionally agreed to mediate between the government and PTI.
Sources said Rehman had also conveyed a message to the prime minister through the government’s negotiating committee.
Sharif is expected to contact the JUI-F chief in the coming days.
The next step will depend on whether the government and PTI respond positively to Rehman’s conditions and demonstrate the seriousness he has sought before he formally takes on the mediating role.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026