ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister’s Adviser and Senator Rana Sanaullah has affirmed that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is fully entitled to hold and express his own political stance, while cautioning that discussions surrounding mineral exploration in the country remain premature.
Political Differences Acknowledged
Speaking on Dunya News programme “Dunya Mehr Bokhari Kay Saath,” Rana Sanaullah said the JUI-F chief had the right to express his political views, even though he personally held a different opinion on the matter.
The adviser downplayed the significance of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s recent remarks, stating that his statements had been unnecessarily magnified into a major issue. He also maintained that the JUI-F leader was not unhappy.
Referring to the Maulana’s position, Rana Sanaullah noted that the JUI-F chief must have some basis for his stance, and pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has both a governor and an advisory council in place.
Mineral Exploration Talks Called Premature
On the subject of mineral exploration, the prime minister’s adviser said it was too early to draw conclusions, as the necessary mapping of resources had not yet been completed.
- Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan lacks the resources required to extract minerals independently.
- He noted that if mineral extraction proceeds, both federal and provincial governments would have a role in the process.
- He argued that criticism of a mineral extraction project would be justified only once an international company had been awarded a contract to carry out the work.
The remarks come amid ongoing debate over the country’s mineral development plans and the political discourse surrounding them, with the adviser urging that conclusions be withheld until technical groundwork is finalised.
