Fazl accuses government of betraying mediation efforts

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has accused the federal government of backtracking on its commitments during efforts to ease political tensions between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He said the government sought his help in resolving the standoff but later moved towards imposing emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday, Fazl said opposition leaders approached him after his return from Umrah on October 7, requesting his intervention to resolve the political deadlock. Federal ministers also contacted him the following day to seek his assistance in bringing the two sides to the negotiating table.

The political tensions intensified after PTI announced a long march towards Islamabad to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated. Negotiations between the government and the opposition failed to produce a breakthrough, while the PTI continued its march within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Fazl said the PTI leadership had agreed to suspend the march if its demands were accepted. According to him, the party sought permission for its leaders to meet Imran Khan in jail and the implementation of a court order concerning his transfer to a private hospital for medical treatment.

He said he contacted KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and senior party leader Asad Qaiser to discuss a possible way forward. During the conversation, Afridi reportedly assured him that the PTI would call off the march if the party’s demands were met.

Fazl subsequently conveyed the PTI’s position to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House. He said he asked the premier to ensure that PTI leaders could meet Imran Khan and that the former prime minister received the required medical care.

The JUI-F chief also proposed travelling to Peshawar for further consultations. He intended to bring representatives from the PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) together under his supervision to advance the negotiations.

However, Fazl said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar contacted him during Sunday’s cabinet meeting and informed him that the government intended to impose emergency measures in KP because of the security situation.

Fazl questioned the government’s reasoning and accused it of abandoning the proposed negotiation process. He said he had been asked to mediate between the two sides, only for the government to consider taking a major decision independently.

He also questioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s authority during the negotiations, suggesting that the premier should clarify how much control he had over the process. Fazl alleged that the government had created obstacles to a possible settlement.

Rejecting the proposed emergency and governor’s rule in KP, the JUI-F chief described the move as a violation of democratic principles and the rights of the people. He said his party would oppose the decision through constitutional and democratic forums, including Parliament and the courts.

Fazl reaffirmed his commitment to defending the Constitution, human rights and democratic freedoms. He also criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party’s role in the matter, alleging that its position had undermined democratic principles.

Referring to successive military operations carried out over the years, including during former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf’s tenure, Fazl argued that the strategy had repeatedly failed to deliver lasting results.

He further questioned the government’s assessment of KP’s performance, saying the security situation in Balochistan was worse and challenging the rationale for singling out the northwestern province.

Asked whether opposition parties would resign from the assemblies in response to the government’s proposed measures, Fazl said the matter would be considered if the situation reached that stage.