ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a late-night telephone conversation with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss the country’s volatile political situation, with particular focus on developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march, sources said.
According to sources, the prime minister reached out to the JUI-F chief after chairing a meeting convened to review the political landscape, underscoring the urgency with which the government is approaching the standoff.
Fazlur Rehman Presses for Dialogue
During the conversation, Maulana Fazlur Rehman reiterated his long-standing position that the country’s issues should be resolved through mutual understanding and dialogue rather than confrontation.
The prime minister acknowledged the JUI-F leader’s political services and his conciliatory approach, telling him that the federal government had made every possible effort to resolve matters through political means, according to the sources.
Shehbaz Points to PTI’s March and Security Priorities
Shehbaz Sharif said PTI’s insistence on proceeding with its long march — and what he described as the party’s lack of focus on measures to combat terrorism — had contributed to the current problems.
He stressed that both the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the opposition should take the situation seriously and work towards a resolution.
The prime minister maintained that his government remained willing to engage in negotiations and pursue a political settlement. However, he urged the opposition to refrain from advancing towards the federal capital, warning that such an approach would aggravate the situation rather than resolve it.
Economic Stability and Political Calm
Shehbaz Sharif also highlighted the federal government’s efforts to strengthen the national economy, saying his administration wanted to ensure political stability across the country.
The telephone call reflects continuing behind-the-scenes maneuvering as the government seeks to defuse tensions ahead of the opposition’s planned march on Islamabad.
