Govt, PTI turn to Fazlur Rehman to resolve political deadlock

Efforts are underway to involve Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as a mediator to break the deadlock between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) amid the ongoing political crisis, sources said on Thursday.

According to the sources, both the government and the opposition have asked Fazlur Rehman to play a role in defusing political tensions after the PTI launched a long march on Islamabad to press for its demands.

The government, meanwhile, has stepped up security around Islamabad and made it clear that protesters will not be allowed to enter the capital.

Some government ministers have also threatened to impose either governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman has laid down five conditions for mediation and told the two sides that he would first assess how serious they were about finding a solution, sources said.

He has informed the government and opposition of his conditions, the sources said, adding that he would decide whether to mediate after reviewing their responses.

The sources said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman would agree to play a role if the two sides reached an understanding on the basic issues.

A meeting between the JUI-F chief and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also possible if he gives a green signal for mediation, the sources added.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman had earlier advised the government to resolve matters through dialogue and mutual understanding instead of imposing governor’s rule or an emergency.

Following that advice, the government asked him to play a role in the negotiations.

According to the sources, a government delegation comprising Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry met Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday.